mtc touch commits to environmental protection with recycling of scratch cards

mtc touch subscribers massively mobilized to participate in this one day program, involving 2380 customers, and collecting around 61 000 used plastic scratch cards.

During the first week of August, mtc touch had organized a promotional campaign calling upon all prepaid 'magic orange' subscribers to contribute in protecting the environment. The campaign incited subscribers to collect 10 scratch cards to be presented on the 14th of August at any mtc touch service center to be exchanged for a free credit of USD 10. As a result, 5901 mobile lines were recharged with a USD10 value free credit.

The General Manager of mtc touch, Mr. Mohammad Shabib, commented the program, explaining: 'This is the first real environmental initiative undertaken by mtc touch following the attainment of the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Certification. We have decided to start with awareness programs which reinforce the environmental sense of responsibility in the society. Thus, the main idea was to motivate prepaid 'magic orange' subscribers and let them actively participate in the recycling operation of the used scratch cards to help reduce the environmentally noxious plastic waste'.

Shabib added: 'This event coincides with the first annual memory of the July-August 2006 war which has imposed a heavy burden on the Lebanese environment. We consider that it is our civil, social and national duty to contribute to the protection and the preservation of the environment in any way possible. Our recycling program has been elaborated to better serve the environment and Lebanon, the beautiful green country which has been subject to the most violent air, sea and land pollution operation'.

Shabib concluded: 'Many other similar initiatives will follow, each announced gradually. We hope that everyone, whether individuals or institutions, citizens or governmental and private associations, realizes the importance of environment and understands the need to give an extra care to its protection and preservation'.

mtc touch had taken prior actions towards reducing the use of plastic scratch cards, as it has come up with alternative recharge means such as the e-recharge via internet, a service recently launched in collaboration with Bank Audi, in addition to other electronic recharge means - already available in the Lebanese market - that are significantly less noxious to the environment than plastic cards.