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From trash to treasure: why upcycling cellular units issues

by Neo Africa News
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From trash to treasure: why upcycling mobile devices matters - Takalani Netshitenzhe VodacomIn an period the place know-how evolves at breakneck pace, the lifespan of cellular units has drastically shortened. Customers incessantly improve their smartphones, usually shelving still-functional units.

The GSMA estimates that 5 billion cellphones are sitting unused in properties and workplaces world wide. This development not solely contributes to a burgeoning digital waste (e-waste) disaster but in addition overlooks the huge potential of cellular system upcycling – a possibility to advertise environmental sustainability and foster a extra inclusive digital society.

E-waste is without doubt one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally. In line with the UN’s International E-waste Monitor 2024, a staggering 62 million tonnes of e-waste was produced in 2022, with solely 22.3% formally recycled. Discarded cellphones and different small electronics contribute to this downside, usually ending up in landfills the place poisonous elements can leach into the soil and water, posing extreme environmental and well being dangers. It is for that reason that Vodacom’s partnership settlement with the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) seeks to advertise a co-developed marine safety ecosystem constructed on 5 pillars, together with the elimination of plastics.

In South Africa, Prolonged Producer Duty (EPR) laws are a key coverage instrument to deal with the rising volumes of plastic and digital waste. In Could 2021, EPR laws have been gazetted in South Africa, which made EPR obligatory within the paper and packaging, electrical and digital items, and lighting sectors. In line with the division of forestry, fisheries & the atmosphere (DFFE), the implementation of well-designed EPR schemes can advance the round economic system, promote environment friendly useful resource use and restoration, and contribute in the direction of air pollution prevention with vital environmental, financial and social advantages. These advantages embrace:

  • Diminished demand for virgin supplies by means of acceptable charges that internalise the prices of waste administration and targets for product reuse, recycling and use of recycled content material. The substitution of virgin materials with recovered and recycled waste will guarantee adequate useful resource availability for present and future generations and mitigate greenhouse gasoline and different emissions into the ambiance, promote environment friendly water use and scale back biodiversity loss and land degradation resulting from useful resource extraction.
  • The institution of vital waste assortment methods and recycling infrastructure will promote waste diversion from landfills and assist financial improvement in South Africa with the emergence of latest inexperienced industries, markets for recycled supplies and inexperienced entrepreneurship alternatives.
  • EPR can promote modern and sustainable enterprise fashions for waste administration, product design for reuse and recyclability, and various supplies. Importantly, this will promote the competitiveness of native companies and job creation and livelihood alternatives for a lot of.

In addressing the adverse impression of e-waste, there may be an pressing have to drive initiatives that assist a round cellular economic system. For telcos, circularity means to extend useful resource effectivity, extending the lifecycle of smartphones by reusing, repairing, recycling and upcycling, and thereby lowering the quantity of e-waste within the atmosphere. As well as, upcycling cellular units lessens the demand for uncooked supplies. Mining for components equivalent to gold, cobalt and lithium – vital for manufacturing new units – can put stress on pure assets and contribute vital carbon emissions. For each million smartphones upcycled, over 50 000 tonnes of carbon emissions might be prevented. By selling upcycling, we will scale back the general ecological footprint of our digital consumption.

Takalani Netshitenzhe, director of external affairs, Vodacom South Africa
Takalani Netshitenzhe, director of exterior affairs, Vodacom South Africa

Past the environmental advantages, upcycling cellular units can supply a possibility for societal change. Some of the frequent limitations to proudly owning a smartphone is the associated fee. As upcycled cellular units are sometimes extra reasonably priced than new units, they will drive smartphone penetration, offering the instruments wanted to entry info, schooling, and monetary providers. This may empower people, fostering digital inclusion and financial participation.

By incorporating upcycling into enterprise fashions, know-how firms can play a pivotal position in contributing to a round transition and bridging digital divides. This not solely helps the atmosphere however aligns with a rising client demand for sustainable practices. Whereas demand for brand new units stays excessive, there may be already proof of a budding round economic system throughout the cell phone {industry}, with Worldwide Knowledge Corp (IDC) reporting a ten% progress in refurbished smartphone shipments worldwide.

We’ve seen this traction by means of our RedLovesGreen marketing campaign, which inspires clients to return their units to any of our 37 restore centres in South Africa. Relying on the make, mannequin and situation of a returned system, it could be repaired, refurbished, resold or despatched for recycling. Since 2011, Vodacom’s Superior Restore Centre (ARC) has processed about 2.9 million units that have been both repaired, reused, refurbished or returned. A complete of 346 000 units have been recycled and disposed of in an environmentally pleasant method. We’re additionally actively encouraging clients to think about shopping for second-life units. By means of the programme, upcycled units are both licensed “Good as New” and bought with a guaranty or donated to a Vodacom-supported college to reinforce entry to digital know-how and digital abilities. As well as, Vodacom has appointed a Producer Duty Organisation (PRO) to implement a user-friendly means during which shoppers can get rid of outdated and undesirable units responsibly as a part of Vodacom’s EPR obligations.

To totally realise the potential of upcycling, our {industry} must work along with governments, different companies and shoppers. For instance, regulatory frameworks can assist incentivise upcycling, equivalent to tax advantages for firms that have interaction in sustainable practices and funding for community-based upcycling programmes.

Not a panacea

Whereas upcycling is a step in the suitable course, it’s not a panacea. We want complete methods to advertise sustainable tech consumption. This consists of designing units for longevity, implementing strong e-waste administration methods, and inspiring shoppers to be a part of the round economic system. The pan-industry Eco Ranking, for instance, helps shoppers establish and evaluate essentially the most sustainable cellphones in the marketplace whereas encouraging suppliers to scale back the environmental impression of units.

By extending the lifetime of cellular units, we will mitigate in opposition to environmental hurt, promote digital inclusion and foster financial progress. It’s time for a collective effort to champion cellular system upcycling – not simply as a technological necessity however as an ethical crucial. Embracing this apply can pave the way in which for a extra sustainable and inclusive future.



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