Batelco Champions Eco-SIMs as Bahrain’s First 100% Recycled SIM Cards Launch

Batelco, operating under the Beyon Group, has just become the first operator in Bahrain to roll out SIM cards made entirely from recycled plastic. It might sound like a small change, but in a region where telecoms are often focused on speed and coverage, it’s refreshing to see sustainability pushed front and centre. From now on, every new SIM issued by the company will be an Eco-SIM, crafted mainly from polystyrene recycled out of old fridges and other discarded appliances. And when these tiny cards reach the end of their life, they too can be recycled to produce new ones – a bit of a neat circular economy trick if you ask me.

Batelco’s General Manager, Aseel Mattar, framed the move as part of the company’s broader sustainability commitments. She noted that while eSIM technology is growing in popularity, most customers still want – or need – the physical version. By shifting their default supply to recycled material, the firm is cutting down on virgin plastic use and helping reduce carbon emissions along the way. Spot on, really, considering Bahrain’s growing conversations on environmental responsibility.

I’ve seen this sort of transition before with startups in MENA trying to weave green solutions into everyday products. To be honest, it’s not always glamorous work. Recycled plastics, logistics, certifications – it can be a bit of a faff. But once it’s in place, the impact can snowball quickly. The Beyon Group already had sustainability projects underway, and this move slots in nicely with that bigger picture.

There’s also a symbolic weight here. Telecoms companies touch practically every household, and when one of the biggest names in the sector takes a step like this, it normalises the expectation that “eco” isn’t just for niche brands. At Arageek we’ve often talked about how small but visible tweaks like this can energise founders thinking, “If they can do it on a mass scale, why can’t we bake sustainability into our own products?” I reckon more regional players will follow suit.

That said, I’m still not a fan of how reliant the region remains on physical SIMs when eSIM could, in theory, cut plastic use altogether. But for now, Eco-SIMs represent a practical bridge, meeting current customer demand without putting green goals on hold. And honestly, when you’re talking millions of cards, even shaving off a fraction of plastic waste is definately better than sticking with the old system.

It’s early days for Bahrain’s Eco-SIMs, but if Batelco manages to keep its momentum, this could well inspire others across the Gulf to rethink how even the smallest bits of tech leave a mark on the environment. And believe it or not, sometimes those little cards in your phone say a lot more about the future than the flashy devices they power.

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