By Colin Williamson, CEO of Regener8 Group
E-waste is currently the fastest growing global waste stream. Five times more e-waste is produced than is formally recycled – and the problem is getting worse every year. This is Part 1 of a two-part article.
Refurbished phones at Regener8. Supplied by Regener8 Group
Between 2010 and 2022, the amount of e-waste generated per year almost doubled from 34 million tonnes to 62 million tonnes. Consider how many devices we’ve all used personally and professionally in this time, and these figures are unsurprising.
While Africa has some of the lowest rates of e-waste globally, it is also the lowest e-waste recycler at less than 1%. In 2022, South Africa’s reported e-waste was the second highest on the continent after Egypt.
As we mark International E-Waste Day1 and consider the ways in which we can build South Africa’s circular economy, it’s worth dismantling some myths about e-waste. What misconceptions are influencing our current thinking about this issue, and how can we reimagine these points as we strive to contribute to the global tech regeneration movement?
Myth: throwing e-waste away isn’t that bad
Reality: Unfortunately, the consequences of mismanaging e-waste are likely worse than we imagine. E-waste is any discarded tech with a plug, battery or cord. Devices that end up in dumps and landfills can leach toxic materials, such as lead, mercury and cadmium, into soil and water supplies. Throwing them away is also a terrible waste of the precious minerals, including gold, silver and rare earth metals, that could otherwise be recycled to produce new devices at a lower carbon footprint.
Besides the direct environmental fallout, research also shows that waste and pollution, including e-waste, affects vulnerable populations the worst. Poorly managed e-waste therefore has a terrible knock-on effect on other socio-economic issues, such as poverty and healthcare — something South Africa can ill afford.
Myth: it’s difficult and inconvenient to recycle tech ethically
Reality: Recycling tech ethically does typically take a bit of effort, but once you know what systems are in place, it often gets easier. For personal tech, check if your municipal recycling programme disposes of e-waste or whether there is a local e-waste drop-off site nearby.
Often the best options environmentally and economically are to explore trade-in and buy-back programmes with accredited retailers. Old laptops, tablets, phones and monitors are usually particularly valuable and trading them in can help you get a better deal on your next upgrade.
Businesses can also partner with reputable recommerce companies that serve as a one-stop-shop for e-waste, buying old tech and then refurbishing and reselling it through professional channels. Anything that can’t be reused is ethically recycled. This is often much more effective practically and financially than hanging onto decommissioned devices in storerooms or battling to dispose of them properly. As ESG regulations become more stringent, ethical tech management is also increasingly becoming a regulatory requirement.
