* MTN and Ericsson to champion e-waste awareness and collection initiative leveraging Ericsson’s global Ecology Management Product Take-Back Program
* Ericsson’s Program covers the collection, decommissioning, transport, storage and disposal of obsolete technology
* Collection points for e-waste are MTN Service centres and Stade de l’Amitie de Kouhounou
MTN Benin, has partnered with Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) under their Ecology Management Program, to launch the first electrical and electronic equipment waste (e-waste) collection and awareness drive in Benin. This campaign is geared towards creating awareness and minimizing the potential environmental impact associated with the disposal of decommissioned electrical and electronic equipment in the country.
E-waste, not recycled properly, is an under acknowledged environmental hazard around the world. Africa, particularly West Africa, is one of the more highly affected continents because large quantities of end of life materials from around the world end up at dumps in this region. This project provides a sound platform for raising awareness and discussing these issues.
Malik Melamu, MTN Benin CEO: “Research shows that the world’s e-waste level reached 48.9 million tons during 2012 and is expected to increase 33% by 2017. With our company’s commitment to being socially responsible, this challenge has caught our attention. We are leveraging on Ericsson’s wealth of experience in electronic waste management to not only evacuate the waste but also educate the general public and all key stakeholders about the importance of the proper disposal of the growing electronic waste in the country and the world.”
A collection depot with a 20-foot container has been opened at Stade de l’Amitié de Kouhounou, Cotonou, Benin,It will be operational for one month with the invitation to the general public to seize the opportunity to properly dispose of all forms of electronic waste. Leading the way, MTN will dispose of all electronic waste including old equipment purchased from Ericsson. At the close of the campaign, collected e-waste will be transported to an Ericsson-approved recycling partner in Durban, South Africa.
Fredrik Jejdling, Head of Region sub-Saharan Africa, Ericsson: “The Ecology Management Product Take-Back program 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. We have been partnering with our customers across the region on e-waste take back and this partnership with MTN in Benin extends the scope of this initiative to include creating awareness about e-waste and helping to ensure that end-of-life material is waste-treated in an environmentally responsible manner.”
Globally, Ericsson provides free product retrieval and safe disposal services for equipment that has reached its shelf life, as part the company’s extended producer responsibility. Ericsson offers the program to all customers, guaranteeing that this e-waste does not end up in trade-restricted areas, landfill, or in places where unethical business practices are taking place.
FRENCH VERSION
