Airtel Ghana, is working with Ericsson to minimize the potential environmental impact associated with e-waste under Ericsson’s Ecology Management Product Take-Back program.
The program ensures that end-of-life material is waste-treated in an environmentally responsible manner. Ericsson aims to provide free product retrieval and safe disposal services that has reached its shelf life, hence curbing e-waste.
In a statement, Donald Gwira, Head of Corporate affairs, Airtel Ghana said: “Telecommunications, by its very nature, is an industry that has the least impact on the environment. However, the adoption of responsible e-waste disposal techniques will further limit the impact technology has on the environment. This is something we take seriously and we are pleased to have a partner who not only shares our passion for limiting our carbon footprint but offers the service as part of its portfolio”.
The equipment will be loaded at Airtel Ghana’s warehouse facilities and then transported by sea to the Ericsson approved recycling partner in Durban, South Africa. There, the sorting and dismantling process will be initiated before being shipped to the partner’s main recycling facility in Netherlands. Here the final recycling will be completed.
“We aim to minimize the negative environmental impact of our activities and products in operation, while delivering solutions to enable the low-carbon economy. Ericsson is committed to proper handling of electronic waste and in Airtel we have found a partner that aspires to the same ideals,” said Andreas Karlsson, Country Manager, Ericsson Ghana.
The world’s e-waste level reached 48.9 million tons during 2012 and is expected to increase 33% by 2017. More than 80% of this is not treated in proper e-waste recycling facilities.
