Ericsson, Umniah expand e-waste partnership, recycling over 130MT of network equipment
Through collaboration with Ericsson, Umniah ensures that modernization delivers both technical excellence and measurable environmental responsibility, adding that performance and sustainability are not trade-offs but design principles.
JORDAN – Ericsson and Umniah by Beyon have expanded their collaboration under the Ericsson e-Waste Program, recycling over 130 metric tonnes of decommissioned electrical and electronic equipment since 2024, reducing landfill waste and supporting resource recovery through structured collection and certified recycling processes.
The program aligns with both companies’ climate action and environmental sustainability strategies.
Through improved lifecycle management of network equipment, Ericsson and Umniah are enhancing value recovery while minimizing the environmental footprint of their network modernization efforts.
Ericsson launched its global e-Waste Program in 2005 and now offers it to customers in 180 countries worldwide.
Why Telecom E-Waste Matters
Telecommunications equipment has a defined operational lifespan. As networks upgrade from 4G to 5G and now toward 5G-Advanced, thousands of tonnes of base stations, antennas, radios, and power systems are decommissioned annually.
Without structured take-back programs, this equipment can end up in landfills, where circuit boards, batteries, and cables leach hazardous materials including lead, mercury, and cadmium.
Certified recycling recovers copper, aluminum, steel, and precious metals (gold, silver, palladium) from printed circuit boards, returning them to manufacturing supply chains.
A Circular Approach to Network Modernization
Yusuf Sater, Chief Technology Officer of Umniah by Beyon, explained that network leadership demands continuous evolution.
As Umniah enhances capacity, speed, and reliability across Jordan’s Best Mobile Network, the company is equally deliberate about how it retires legacy infrastructure.
Through collaboration with Ericsson, Umniah ensures that modernization delivers both technical excellence and measurable environmental responsibility, adding that performance and sustainability are not trade-offs but design principles.
Ericsson’s Global E-Waste Framework
Kevin Murphy, President of Ericsson North Middle East, noted that Ericsson’s e-Waste Program supports responsible end-of-life handling for electronic and electrical equipment.
Working with Umniah enables the application of circular economy practices through take-back, recycling, and final disposal processes, aligning with Ericsson’s climate action and environmental sustainability strategy.
The program includes certified recycling partners who dismantle equipment, separate material streams, and document diversion rates.
Scaling the Impact
The 130 metric tonnes recycled to date represents a fraction of total decommissioned telecom equipment across the region.
As Umniah continues its network modernization, the volume of retired equipment will grow.
The expanded collaboration ensures that future retirements follow the same certified path rather than informal disposal.
When Network Upgrades Become Circular
A new base station increases coverage.
A retired one, properly recycled, increases resource recovery.
Ericsson and Umniah’s partnership proves that network modernization and environmental responsibility can advance together, one decommissioned radio at a time.
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