BHARTI Airtel, a leading global telecom services provider with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa, is working with Ericsson in Ghana, under their global Ecology Management Product Take-Back programme, to minimize the potential environmental impact associated with the disposal of decommissioned electrical equipment in the country.
The programme is a part of Ericsson’s Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility effort geared towards taking accountability for environmental impacts of all products and services during their lifecycle.
According to parties in the deal, the programme ensures that end-of-life material is waste-treated in an environmentally responsible manner.
Ericsson’s programme targets exceed the minimum requirements set out under the European Union’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive, where product take back is required by law.
WEEE, globally known as e-waste, is a growing problem. 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.
The Managing Director of Airtel Ghana, Lucy Quist,said: “We are mindful of any possible environmental impact we may have. We take steps in our daily business to minimize this. The adoption of responsible e-waste disposal techniques, like roping in a junk removal company, like EZ Brooklyn Junk Removal| EZBJR, will further limit the impact technology has on the environment. We are pleased to have a partner who not only shares our passion for the environment but also 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 sortingand dismantling process will be initiated before being shipped to the partner’s main recycling facility in Netherlands. Here the final recycling will be completed.
The Country Manager, Ericsson Ghana, Andreas Karlsson, added: “Ericsson’s sustainability strategy is fundamental to our core business and vision of the Networked Society. 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. ”
African Eye News.com
