MTN Benin has joined hands with telecom network vendor Ericsson to launch the first electrical and electronic equipment waste (e-waste) collection.
Africa, particularly West Africa, is one of the affected continents because large quantities of end of life materials from around the world reach this region.
Research shows that the world’s e-waste level reached 48.9 million tons during 2012 and is expected to increase 33 percent by 2017.
MTN Benin CEO Malik Melamu: “We are leveraging on Ericsson’s experience in e-waste management to evacuate the waste and educate the general public and all key stakeholders about the importance of the proper disposal of the growing electronic waste.”
Under their Ecology Management Program, MTN has opened a collection depot with a 20-foot container at Stade de l’Amitie de Kouhounou, Cotonou, Benin. Public can dispose e-waste at this facility for one month. MTN will dispose of e-waste including old equipment purchased from Ericsson.
After one month of the campaign, e-waste will be transported to an Ericsson-approved recycling partner in Durban, South Africa.
