Safaricom – Promoting mobile devices and network circularity

Circularity for Safaricom is a business imperative. As a responsible business, taking ownership and driving change in the circularity space to address environmental and health hazards associated with e-waste is essential in building a sustainable future for the planet and people. By focusing on circular economy, Safaricom will not only mitigate risks but also spur innovations that are essential in driving societal and environmental transformation.  

Safaricom has two key initiatives on circularity: 

1. Mobile devices circularity – This project focuses on keeping mobile devices within the loop as long as possible through repair, refurbishment, mobile trade in and E-Waste takeback  

2. Network equipment circularity – This initiative was started a few years ago with the goal on minimising E-Waste generation, growing the economy, creating green jobs and minimising environmental pollution. The strategies employed here include equipment reuse within the network, resale and recycling.
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We engage customers through organised circularity forums, social media campaigns and market visits. 

To scaleup the project and create more impact, we have partnered with several organisations such as: 

1. National Environment Management Authority – to drive awareness creation on responsible e-waste collection and hazards of poor disposal. 

2. Warmtech – Safaricom’s responsible disposal partner for network waste, airtime and sim cards. They are a registered and certified e-waste handler. 

3. Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) Center – Safaricom’s partner for end-of-life devices from customers, which works jointly to carry out campaigns and conference on e-waste. 

4. Badili and Carlcare – An organisation that piloted mobile device trade-in in Safaricom’s retail shops in a bid to reduce generation of e-waste. The phones purchased are refurbished for resale or if damaged badly, they extract valuable parts to be reused in repair of mobile devices.   

5. East Africa Device Assembly Kenya (EADAK) – An organisation supporting the refurbishing of mobile devices 

The environmental benefits include: 

1. Pollution prevention/reduction- 2052 tons of e-waste diverted from dumpsite 

2. Carbon emissions savings 

Challenges include: 

1. Lack of infrastructure/technology to recycle solar PVs locally  

2. Financial constraints to carry out awareness campaigns and market visits across the country. 

3. Low development of secondary market for mobile devices 

4. Awareness levels are still low. 

5. Low volumes.