DOHA: Qtel yesterday launched a new series of biodegradable scratch cards for Hala and Dawli customers, as part of its move towards reducing the company’s environmental footprint.

Over time, the cards will replace the current PVC scratch cards that have proven to be enormously popular in Qatar. With over 2.1 million mobile customers, Qtel sells millions of scratch cards every year, which can cause challenges because of the resources required to make and dispose of each card.

To reduce the problems caused by discarded cards, Qtel’s new cards are made from biodegradable material that will breakdown naturally and easily. This will reduce the amount of litter created and ensure that there is less risk of wildlife and livestock choking on the cards that some people have carelessly thrown away.

Qtel is also designing the QR30 cards in a new “Three in One” format, so that each card can be split into three strips worth QR10 of call-time each. The new format will mean that it’s no longer necessary to buy a whole card for QR10 calls, again reducing the resources required and making call-time more accessible for low income workers and people looking to save.

Waleed Al Sayed, Executive Director, Customer Services, Qtel explains: “Qtel is a responsible company, so we look at every aspect of our operations to see how they can be improved for the benefit of our customers and the community. The move to biodegradable scratch cards is part of our wider strategy to reduce our environmental footprint, and we believe it will be warmly received by the people of Qatar.”