South Africa is confronting an escalating electronic waste (e-waste) challenge, with the country producing 530 million kilograms of e-waste annually, according to the UN’s Global E-Waste Monitor. Addressing this growing concern, Vodacom has partnered with Circular Energy, a not-for-profit Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO), to divert e-waste from landfills through recycling and recovery programmes. This collaboration aligns with Vodacom’s circular economy commitment, aiming to reduce its environmental footprint while promoting green economy opportunities.
“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. 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,” said Takalani Netshitenzhe, Director of External Affairs at Vodacom South Africa.
The sheer volume of discarded electronics in South Africa poses risks ranging from pollution to severe health hazards, making Vodacom’s initiative particularly timely. The new partnership addresses the traditional linear consumption model — where products are manufactured, used, and then discarded — by embracing a circular economy approach, which seeks to extend product life cycles and reduce resource consumption.
Through Circular Energy’s collection scheme, Vodacom will facilitate the responsible disposal of e-waste, such as batteries, lighting equipment, and packaging, aligning with South Africa’s extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations. This regulatory framework mandates that producers assume responsibility for the end-of-life impact of their products, further reinforcing Vodacom’s environmental stewardship.
“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. Vodacom, through Circular Energy’s initiatives, will realise not only reduced environmental footprints but also substantial economic and skills development benefits within the value chain,” said Patricia Schröder, CEO of Circular Energy.
In the last financial year alone, Vodacom recycled over 1,273 tonnes of network equipment, underscoring its commitment to e-waste circularity. This infrastructure not only reduces landfill waste but supports South Africa’s green economy, creating opportunities for jobs and entrepreneurship in material recycling, extraction, and collection.
The partnership is one part of Vodacom’s broader environmental strategy, as reflected in its participation in the Vodafone and Worldwide Fund for Nature’s ‘1 million Phones for the Planet’ campaign. The initiative encourages consumers to return used devices for recycling or trade-in, addressing the 9% of global e-waste comprised of small IT equipment and electronics, according to the GSMA.
Consumers are a critical part of this circular economy vision, with Vodacom’s RedLovesGreen programme offering convenient repair and recycling options. Devices can be taken to any of Vodacom’s 37 repair centres nationwide for refurbishment, resale, or recycling. Customers can also request collection of old devices through Circular Energy, extending Vodacom’s sustainability reach to consumers’ homes.
“Consumers play a pivotal role in promoting a circular economy. 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. Customers can also look at purchasing a refurbished ‘Good as New’ phone, trading in their devices and taking longer 48-month contracts to extend the life cycle of devices and reduce e-waste. If we all do our part today, we can ensure a healthy, prosperous planet for tomorrow,” concludes Netshitenzhe.
