Circular Energy has partnered with several companies to address electronic waste (e-waste) in South Africa, and its latest collaboration with Vodacom is yet another of its efforts to manage e-waste responsibly and divert it from landfills through take-back schemes for products like cell phones, tablets and chargers.
 
The collaboration is driven by the need to combat e-waste - one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world - and to divert it from landfills into recovery and recycling programmes. This partnership supports Vodacom’s commitment to promoting a circular economy by reducing its environmental impact and to enable employment opportunities in the green economy.

South Africa faces a significant challenge regarding e-waste, which includes everything from domestic appliances to municipal equipment. Fortunately, since 2016, all batteries and electronics have been banned from landfills due to their hazardous nature and the potential for toxic materials to leach into the environment.
 
This is a positive move; however, at this point, compliance rates in South Africa's electrical and electronic sectors are only around 5%. Patricia Schröder, CEO of Circular Energy, believes that if all companies comply, the positive impact on waste management could be significantly greater.

The partnership with Circular Energy is part of Vodacom’s e-waste circularity initiatives, which are focused specifically on electrical equipment and electronic devices. In the last financial year, Vodacom recycled over 1 273 tonnes of network equipment, with the goal to reuse, resell or recycle 100% of network’s waste by 2025.

The establishment of critical waste collection systems and recycling infrastructure promotes waste diversion from landfills and supports economic development in South Africa with the emergence of a green economy that will create much-needed opportunities for income, green entrepreneurship, jobs and markets for the collection, extraction and recycling of materials.
 
Schröder outlines the concept of a circular economy, which aims to eliminate waste by rethinking product design and lifecycle management. It encompasses the following principles:

Ensuring that no waste ends up in landfills, by promoting practices like reuse, repair and recycling, rather than the traditional linear model of take, make and dispose.

Design for longevity: Products should be designed to be durable and easily repairable to minimise waste-generation.

Right to repair: Advocating for legislation that allows consumers to repair items rather than replace them, which can be economically beneficial, especially for those with limited financial resources.

Consumer responsibility: Individuals must reflect on their purchasing decisions and the consequences for the environment, such as choosing quality over trendiness and ensuring proper disposal of end-of-life products.

Impact of choosing wisely: Each person's choices collectively impact the planet. Education and awareness about sustainable practices are essential in fostering a culture of circularity.

 
In order to ensure compliance with the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, Vodacom is integrating circular principles into its business model and ensuring that profit does not come at a cost to the environment.

Through Vodacom’s RedLovesGreen programme, customers can return their devices to any of the 37 repair centres nationwide to be repaired, refurbished, resold or sent away to a Vodacom-approved recycling agency to be safely recycled. As part of the collaboration with Circular Energy, Vodacom customers can also have pre-loved devices collected conveniently from their homes to be recycled, simply by completing a request form on the PRO’s website.

“It’s essential that businesses take corporate social responsibility (CSR) more seriously. Profit and environmental protection can coexist. Businesses must assess their operations to improve waste management and incorporate circularity into their models,” she adds.
 
Additionally, Circular Energy has begun several initiatives that focus on waste management and job-creation, particularly for women, youth, and people with disabilities. A collaborative approach with companies like Vodacom can help to raise awareness and provide training. “We are investing in buy-back centres in Limpopo, which will promote small-business development and skills training, ultimately leading to job-creation,” says Schröder.
 
There are also plans ahead to provide educational programmes that help consumers understand better ways of disposing of electronic waste. These programmes aim to provide comprehensive information on the proper disposal of various types of waste, including e-waste and packaging materials.
 
Both individuals and businesses need to cultivate environmental consciousness by reflecting on waste-generation and making mindful consumption choices, for example, reducing unnecessary purchases and properly managing waste.
 
Partnerships such as the one between Circular Energy and Vodacom are not only helping to reduce the negative effects on the environment but also providing a positive blueprint for other businesses and individuals to follow.