Vodacom partners with Circular Energy to tackle South Africa’s e-waste challenge

SOUTH AFRICA – Vodacom South Africa has joined forces with Circular Energy, an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) organization, to address the country’s growing e-waste problem by redirecting electronic waste from landfills into recycling and recovery programs.

According to the United Nations Global E-Waste Monitor, South Africa generates approximately 530 million kilograms of e-waste annually, nearly eight kilograms per person. E-waste is becoming a major environmental and health concern.

“E-waste is our second most material environmental issue, and fostering circularity is central to our mission of empowering people while protecting the planet,” said Takalani Netshitenzhe, Vodacom South Africa’s External Affairs Director.

The company is shifting from a traditional linear consumption model—where products are used and discarded—to a circular economy, which reduces resource consumption and extends product lifecycles.

In alignment with South Africa’s EPR regulations, Vodacom and Circular Energy’s partnership aims to establish robust systems for e-waste collection, recycling, and responsible management.

Last year alone, Vodacom recycled over 1,273 tons of network equipment. Through Circular Energy’s take-back scheme, the initiative will manage e-waste and other materials like batteries, lighting, and packaging in an environmentally responsible way.

According to the GSMA, small IT equipment and electronics constitute about 9% of total e-waste globally.

By adopting circular models, Vodacom reduces waste, conserves resources, and creates economic opportunities in the green economy, where waste diversion supports job creation and green entrepreneurship.

“Through Circular Energy’s initiatives, Vodacom will achieve reduced environmental footprints along with economic and skills development benefits within the value chain,” explained Circular Energy CEO Patricia Schröder.

As part of this initiative, Vodacom customers can request that used devices be collected from their homes for recycling by submitting a request on Circular Energy’s website.

“Consumers play a key role in promoting a circular economy,” Netshitenzhe emphasized.

Vodacom encourages customers to reduce e-waste by repairing, reusing, and recycling devices through its RedLovesGreen program.

This program includes home collections by Circular Energy and access to 37 repair centres nationwide for device repair, refurbishment, resale, or recycling.

Under the RedLovesGreen program, customers can buy refurbished “Good as New” phones, trade in their devices, or opt for 48-month contracts to extend device lifecycles.

Vodacom is also participating in the “1 Million Phones for the Planet” campaign with Vodafone and the World Wide Fund for Nature.

This campaign aims to raise awareness about e-waste and incentivize customers to return devices for trade-in, donation, or recycling.

Through these comprehensive efforts, Vodacom and Circular Energy set a new standard for sustainable electronic waste management in South Africa.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.