Safaricom Launches E-waste Recycling Programme

October 17, 2012…Leading integrated communications services provider, Safaricom Limited in in partnership with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Centre (WEEE) has today launched Kenya's largest E-Waste recycling program. This Kshs 20 million non-profit initiative comes hot on the heels of the recent shutdown of counterfeit mobile phones and it therefore is perfectly timed to mop up any gadgets rendered unusable by the exercise.

Safaricom CEO, Bob Collymore speaking during the launch said, "A report by UNEP in 2009 shows that Kenya is responsible for more than 17,000 tonnes of e-waste every year, out of which mobile phones contribute in excess of 150 tonnes. As a responsible corporate entity, we have taken this bold step to ensure that our customers are not exposed to the adverse effects associated with the improper disposal of e-waste."

Through the initiative, customers will be able to deposit disused electronic equipment such as old phones, chargers, batteries, toys, laptop computers and music players in any of the 36 Safaricom retail centres and offices countrywide.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Centre (WEEE) will then collect the equipment from Safaricom, disassemble the gadgets and use what can be recycled locally to make plastic chairs and poles. What cannot be recycled locally, will be shipped out of the country to other partners to be disposed off in an environmentally friendly way.

E-waste is harmful to the environment and in extreme cases; bio-hazardous elements associated with e-waste have been known to have a negative on health.

-ENDS-

About Safaricom 
Safaricom provides a comprehensive range of services under one roof. This includes mobile and fixed voice and data services on a variety of platforms. With annual revenues in excess of Kshs 100 Billion and a subscriber base of 19.1 million, Safaricom also hosts Kenya's widest 3G network, the most expansive WIMAX presence alongside a growing fibre optic cable footprint.

Safaricom pioneered commercial mobile money transfer globally through M-PESA, the most successful such service anywhere in the world. Launched in March 2007 as a money transfer service, M-PESA now has over 15 million customers and over 37,000 Agent outlets countrywide.

How the E-Waste Recycling Program will work
Safaricom has placed collection boxes at each of its 36 retail centres and offices countrywide where customers will to be able deposit their old phones, chargers, batteries, toys, laptop computers, music players and other obsolete electrical equipment.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Centre (WEEE) will then collect the equipment from Safaricom, disassemble the gadgets and use what can be recycled locally to make plastic chairs and poles.

October 17, 2012…Leading integrated communications services provider, Safaricom Limited in in partnership with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Centre (WEEE) has today launched Kenya's largest E-Waste recycling program. This Kshs 20 million non-profit initiative comes hot on the heels of the recent shutdown of counterfeit mobile phones and it therefore is perfectly timed to mop up any gadgets rendered unusable by the exercise.

Safaricom CEO, Bob Collymore speaking during the launch said, "A report by UNEP in 2009 shows that Kenya is responsible for more than 17,000 tonnes of e-waste every year, out of which mobile phones contribute in excess of 150 tonnes. As a responsible corporate entity, we have taken this bold step to ensure that our customers are not exposed to the adverse effects associated with the improper disposal of e-waste."

Through the initiative, customers will be able to deposit disused electronic equipment such as old phones, chargers, batteries, toys, laptop computers and music players in any of the 36 Safaricom retail centres and offices countrywide.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Centre (WEEE) will then collect the equipment from Safaricom, disassemble the gadgets and use what can be recycled locally to make plastic chairs and poles. What cannot be recycled locally, will be shipped out of the country to other partners to be disposed off in an environmentally friendly way.

E-waste is harmful to the environment and in extreme cases; bio-hazardous elements associated with e-waste have been known to have a negative on health.

-ENDS-

About Safaricom 
Safaricom provides a comprehensive range of services under one roof. This includes mobile and fixed voice and data services on a variety of platforms. With annual revenues in excess of Kshs 100 Billion and a subscriber base of 19.1 million, Safaricom also hosts Kenya's widest 3G network, the most expansive WIMAX presence alongside a growing fibre optic cable footprint.

Safaricom pioneered commercial mobile money transfer globally through M-PESA, the most successful such service anywhere in the world. Launched in March 2007 as a money transfer service, M-PESA now has over 15 million customers and over 37,000 Agent outlets countrywide.

How the E-Waste Recycling Program will work
Safaricom has placed collection boxes at each of its 36 retail centres and offices countrywide where customers will to be able deposit their old phones, chargers, batteries, toys, laptop computers, music players and other obsolete electrical equipment.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Centre (WEEE) will then collect the equipment from Safaricom, disassemble the gadgets and use what can be recycled locally to make plastic chairs and poles.