Latest news with #ewaste
Zawya
11 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
How embracing the circular economy can be a game-changer for businesses?
Circular economy offers businesses an opportunity to break through the volatile economy as global uncertainty continues to impact businesses economically, environmentally and socially. The sustainability conversation is no longer about lofty ideals: It's about survival, resilience and relevance. There is more than enough policy, strategy, and information in place to guide businesses toward sustainable practices. The African Development Bank has established the Africa Circular Economy Facility (ACEF) to foster Africa's transformation by adopting a circular economy; the African Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA) based at the UN hosted COP23 by South Africa, Nigeria and Rwanda seeks to establish a collaboration of various initiatives; and the United Nations in its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals laid out three interconnected pillars - environmental, social responsibility and economic performance, to ensure that sustainability initiatives are financially viable and support economic growth without compromising environmental and social goals. What's required now is the collective commitment from companies to support circular economy initiatives and get government departments to accept refurbished options when spending public money. Electronic waste Globally, e-waste is growing rapidly; around 50 million tonnes are generated annually, and a significant amount of that waste is shipped to Africa and Asia for recycling. According to the EPR Waste Association of South Africa (eWASA), South Africans produce about 6.2kg of electronic waste per person per year. That's 360,000 tonnes, equivalent to 432 laptops per minute. Of that total, around 12% is formally recycled, and the vast majority goes straight to landfills, where it can leach harmful chemicals like lead, arsenic, mercury, flame retardants, and certain phthalates into the soil and groundwater, posing a significant risk to human and environmental health. As global and local regulations tighten, businesses that fail to manage their resource consumption and waste effectively could face reputational damage, compliance penalties, and exclusion from supply chains focused on ESG procurement, posing both an environmental and a business risk. IBIS World reports that Europe's consumer electronics repair market size has reached €3.1bn as of 2024. Revenue volatility in this market is low, and revenue has grown at a CAGR of 7.2 % from 2019 to 2024. This indicates confidence in the activity and acceptance of the proposition not only from an environmental perspective but also from a financial and social perspective. In fact, IDC, in their Refurbished Devices Multi Client Study (2024), reports that 74% of those surveyed already use or are planning to use refurbished printing devices in the next two years. The drivers make for interesting reading: - Cost motivates only 56% of respondents. - The desire for sustainability at 40% and policies for sustainability at 39% are strong indicators that considerations are wider than financial;. - Post-decision financial incentives, such as rebates or discounts, are driving consideration in 24% of respondents. - About 24% also listen to recommendations from peers and other influences. A practical, scalable path An important fact to consider is that circular print solutions are only as good as the standards behind them. Businesses must ensure that refurbished devices meet manufacturer specifications, include relevant certifications, and integrate seamlessly into modern IT environments. The proposition doesn't just stop at the equipment. Xerox CEO Steve Bandrowczak pointed out to clients – at a business breakfast on 1 April 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa – that more than 65% of service calls into the global contact centre were resolved remotely, negating the need for numerous car journeys and minimising pollution. If a technician needs to be dispatched to service a device, they depart already knowing from data provided by AI-driven remote diagnostics what the issue is and can then carry the necessary parts with them, making a return to fix far less likely, again driving down the number of journeys. If further support is needed, the technician can access an augmented reality session through tools that allow them to get support from experts as if they were in the room, reducing the potential for unnecessary repairs and the consumption of spare parts. This approach contributes to the overall sustainability of a refurbished equipment experience and reduces risks to adoption. As South Africa faces increasing pressure to deliver on ESG targets, manage resource scarcity, and enable inclusive growth, circular economy initiatives offer a practical, scalable path forward. As the ACEA states, by 2030, global circular economy efforts could generate $4.5trn in economic benefits. That is a number that South African businesses cannot afford to ignore. The technology is here. The expertise is here. Now all we need is the effort to embrace the circular economy.
Associated Press
a day ago
- Business
- Associated Press
R2 Recycling Hosts Community Electronics Recycling Events Across the U.S.
Contact R2 Recycling Today to Create a Greener Future for Your Community FORT WASHINGTON, PA, UNITED STATES, June 19, 2025 / / -- R2 Recycling, a national leader in responsible electronics recycling, is proud to continue its mission of helping communities across the country reduce electronic waste through locally hosted collection events. These events provide a simple, accessible, and environmentally friendly way for residents and small businesses to dispose of old or unwanted electronics while making a positive impact on their neighborhoods. As the volume of obsolete electronics continues to grow, so does the urgency to recycle them safely and responsibly. Televisions, laptops, printers, cell phones, and other devices often contain materials that can harm the environment if sent to a landfill. R2 Recycling's community-focused collection events ensure that these items are processed properly—keeping hazardous materials out of landfills and promoting a culture of sustainability. 'People want to do the right thing, but often they just don't know where to bring their old electronics,' said a spokesperson for R2 Recycling. 'That's why we've made it a priority to partner with local governments, schools, and community groups to host events that are convenient, well-organized, and open to the public.' Bringing Electronic Recycling to the Local Level R2 Recycling's events are designed to serve a wide audience—from individual households clearing out their basements to small businesses looking for a safe way to dispose of obsolete equipment. The company works closely with municipalities, counties, and nonprofit organizations to coordinate logistics, promote awareness, and ensure smooth operations on event day. Items typically accepted at these events include: Desktop and laptop computers Monitors and televisions Tablets, smartphones, and accessories Printers, scanners, and fax machines Small appliances and peripherals Wires, cables, and power cords In many cases, the events are free to attend, and friendly staff are available to help unload vehicles and answer questions about what can be recycled. Making Recycling Accessible and Impactful For many residents, these events are the most convenient opportunity to dispose of electronics all year. By hosting dozens of collection events annually throughout various states, R2 Recycling ensures that proper recycling is not just a good idea—it's an easy one too. 'We want people to walk away feeling empowered,' the spokesperson continued. 'It's not just about getting rid of a device—it's about participating in something bigger. Every item recycled keeps harmful materials out of the environment and brings us closer to cleaner, safer communities.' A Win for the Environment and Local Communities R2 Recycling emphasizes that these events aren't just about waste reduction—they're about community engagement and education. By collaborating with schools, civic groups, and environmental organizations, R2 Recycling uses its platform to spread awareness about the importance of responsible disposal and the long-term benefits of a cleaner waste stream. In many cases, local students or volunteers are invited to help run the events, turning them into teachable moments about environmental responsibility, technology reuse, and sustainability. How to Host or Find a Local Event Community leaders, schools, and municipal officials interested in hosting a collection event can contact R2 Recycling directly to learn more about scheduling, promotion, and logistics. The company offers full support from planning to execution and ensures compliance with all applicable local regulations. 'Every event is a chance to make a difference,' said the spokesperson. 'It's about neighbors helping neighbors, towns taking pride in their environment, and showing that recycling doesn't have to be complicated—it just has to be accessible.' About R2 Recycling R2 Recycling provides trusted electronics recycling services to communities, businesses, and government agencies across the United States. With a focus on environmental responsibility, data security, and community engagement, the company offers pickup services, ongoing recycling programs, and public collection events that make it easy for everyone to contribute to a cleaner planet. To learn more about hosting or attending a recycling event, contact: AJ Boufarah R2 Recycling +1 (866) 509-7267 [email protected] Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
RM11.6mil in e-waste seized nationwide
Over 2,000 tonnes of e-waste worth RM11.6 million were seized in raids across 10 states. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : E-waste valued at RM11.6 million has been seized in a coordinated crackdown on illegal recycling operations led by the environmental department (DoE) across 10 states. Dubbed Op Hazard, 69 premises were inspected over two days. This operation revealed that 21 were operating without approval and 12 were located in non-designated areas. Only seven were licensed and 29 were scrap dealers. A total of 2,069.31 tonnes of e-waste were confiscated, DoE said in a statement. The operation was carried out with the support of 181 officers, as well as the general operations force, Federal Reserve Unit and the Wildlife Crime Bureau, all of which come under the police. A total of 24 premises were issued equipment operation detention (POK) notices under Section 38(1)(a) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 for using machinery without pollution controls. An additional 59 notices were issued and 18 compound fines were handed out for various offences. Investigation papers have been opened on 25 premises, with suspected offences including unlicensed storage, failure to submit environmental impact assessment reports and disposing of scheduled waste without approval. The DoE said any scheduled waste management activity, including processing of e-waste, conducted without the approval of the department's director-general, constitutes a serious offence under the law.
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
Business Daily Thailand's battle against e-waste
Available for over a year The Southeast Asian country has witnessed a huge influx of electrical and electronic waste in recent years. Old mobile phones, computers, circuit boards and fridges are being shipped to the country and processed, often in unlicensed industrial sites. We explore why this has happened, who is behind it, and find out what the Thai government is doing about it. We join the Thai industry ministry on a raid of an unlicensed Chinese-owned recycling plant, and talk to a Thai farmer who says his cassava crop has been blighted by pollutants from an unlicensed smelter. We also hear from Thais about their own electronics recycling habits. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: businessdaily@ Presented and produced by Gideon Long Additional reporting and translation by Wilawan Watcharasakwej in Bangkok (Image: Officials look at a mound of e-waste at a site near Bangkok, Thailand.)
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Malay Mail
GOF seizes over RM100m in e-waste, arrests five in Perak raid
BATU GAJAH, June 18 — The General Operations Force (GOF) Northern Brigade has arrested five Myanmar nationals at a factory in the Lahat Industrial Area near here, believed to be involved in unlicensed electronic waste (e-waste) recycling activities, with the total value of the seizure estimated at RM111.4 million. Ulu Kinta GOF Northern Brigade commander SAC Shahrum Hashim said all five Myanmar nationals, including a woman aged between 25 and 45, were arrested during an operation conducted over a five-hour period, starting at 7pm yesterday. 'Intelligence revealed that the factory had been processing e-waste, plastics, metals, and aluminium for approximately a year. Inspections confirmed that the facility was operating without any approval from the Department of Environment,' he said. 'We are still in the process of gathering more information regarding the owner of the factory,' he said at a press conference held today. Shahrum added that inspections also revealed the factory had employed foreign workers without valid documentation. The case is currently being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, as well as Sections 34A and 34B of the Environmental Quality Act 1974. — Bernama
