In a move to curb the growing problem of electronic waste, Vodacom South Africa has partnered with Circular Energy to redirect e-waste from landfills into recycling programs.
Circular Energy, a non-profit organization, will support Vodacom in managing the collection and recycling of e-waste, helping the telecom giant promote a circular economy in South Africa.
Vodacom is committed to reducing its environmental footprint and creating job opportunities in the green economy. “E-waste is our business’s second most material environmental issue, and encouraging circularity is key to our purpose, which includes empowering people while protecting the planet,” said Takalani Netshitenzhe, Director of External Affairs at Vodacom South Africa.
“Our joint initiative with Circular Energy will ensure a robust system to collect, recycle and reuse waste responsibly across our operations and play our part in building a sustainable future for generations to come.”
According to the UN’s Global E-Waste Monitor, South Africa generates 530 million kilograms of e-waste every year, nearly eight kilograms per person. This waste creates significant environmental hazards and health risks.
By embracing circular practices, Vodacom hopes to move away from a “make, use, discard” consumption model, extending product lifespans and reducing waste.
Expanding Waste Collection and Creating Green Jobs
Circular Energy’s takeback scheme will assist in the responsible disposal of e-waste. This aligns with South Africa’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations.
These regulations demand that producers take accountability for the environmental impact of their products. Patricia Schröder, CEO of Circular Energy, highlighted the benefits:
“Adopting circular models shifts the focus to waste reduction and resource conservation while creating economic opportunities. It opens pathways to unlock significant value currently lost in traditional ‘linear’ waste processes.”
In the last financial year, Vodacom recycled over 1,273 tonnes of network equipment, establishing essential waste collection systems and recycling infrastructure.
These efforts support South Africa’s economic development and create green jobs, fostering a marketplace for materials recovery and recycling.
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Raising Awareness Among Consumers
Vodacom also aims to engage its customers in reducing e-waste. Through the ‘1 million Phones for the Planet’ campaign with Vodafone and WWF, Vodacom encourages consumers to recycle their used devices.
The RedLovesGreen program allows customers to drop off devices at 37 centers for refurbishment, resale, or recycling.
Consumers can even arrange home collection for used devices through Circular Energy’s online request form. Netshitenzhe emphasized, “At Vodacom, we are encouraging our customers to actively reduce e-waste through our circularity initiatives.
This includes repairing, reusing, and recycling devices in the RedLovesGreen programme and taking advantage of Circular Energy’s home collection scheme.”
In addition to promoting recycling, Vodacom encourages the purchase of refurbished phones. They also propose the option to sign longer contracts to extend device lifespans. “If we all do our part today, we can ensure a healthy, prosperous planet for tomorrow,” Netshitenzhe concluded.
With these initiatives, Vodacom is positioning itself as a leader in the fight against e-waste. This demonstrates the role of companies in supporting environmental sustainability and economic growth in the green sector.