22 July 2025

The telecom sector is responsible for a growing share of the world’s electronic waste (e-waste), from smartphones all the way through to cell towers and server racks. With millions of devices sold each year and infrastructure expanding at pace — particularly in emerging markets — the question is no longer whether the sector should engage with sustainability, but how to do so effectively.

Cue the circular economy: a system that replaces the traditional ‘take-make-dispose’ model with one focused on repair, reuse, refurbishment, and recycling. By extending the lifespan of products and materials, companies can reduce environmental impact, improve cost efficiency, and even unlock new revenue streams.
For Julia Evans, Group Operations Director at TXO, this approach is foundational: “as Africa’s telecoms landscape continues to expand at pace, sustainable infrastructure solutions are crucial,” she says. “Embracing a circular economy approach gives organisations across the continent the tools to extend asset life, reduce environmental impact, and build networks that are both cost-effective and resilient.”

Julie Evans, TXO

Central to circularity

With their vast customer bases and constant contact points, telecom and mobile companies are well-placed to drive change — not only through products, but also through messaging and incentives.
“From a consumer perspective, these companies are uniquely positioned to influence the behaviour of their customers and through this to promote sustainable practices,” says Mark Williams-Wynn, CTO of EWaste Africa. “Practical ways that they can promote sustainable practices include incorporating design-for-repair and design-for-reuse principles in their devices to ensure longer product lifespans and facilitate easier refurbishment. To influence the behaviour of their customers, they can implement take-back schemes, rental models, or device subscription services to increase the return and responsible handling of used electronics.”

Yolandi Holm, National On-Site Manager at EnviroServ, agrees, noting the dual responsibility to educate and act: “telecommunications companies, device manufacturers, and others in the communications market can play a key role in promoting a circular economy by focusing on sustainability through material reuse, recycling, and product longevity.”
Awareness campaigns are fundamental to shifting consumer habits and ensuring devices don’t end up in landfills — or worse, in informal and unsafe recycling operations.

“As key players in communications, these companies also have a critical role in educating consumers about the circular economy,” shares Williams-Wynn. “They can educate on what the circular economy is, why it matters, and how individuals can contribute through their everyday habits. This includes raising awareness about the environmental and social impacts of e-waste, and the importance of responsible consumption.”

Building better from the start

ot all e-waste is created equal. Some devices are designed to last, while others barely survive a two-year contract a.k.a. planned obsolescence. That’s why the principles of eco-design are essential.

“From conceptualisation to design, they can think of the circular economy,” says Holm. “Implementing recycling programmes for end-of-life products ensures valuable materials are recovered, while reducing e-waste. Additionally, adopting sustainable manufacturing practices and using eco-friendly materials helps reduce environmental impact throughout the product lifecycle, supporting a circular economy and minimising waste.”

Williams-Wynn breaks it down further: “this could include incorporating design-for-repair and design-for-reuse principles in their devices to ensure longer product lifespans and facilitate easier refurbishment as well as implementing take-back schemes, rental models, or device subscription services to increase the return and responsible handling of used electronics.”
In practice, this might mean ditching glue in favour of screws, using modular components that can be easily replaced, or choosing materials that can be cleanly separated during recycling.

Holm highlights another innovation: digital passports, which provide transparency into a product’s material sourcing and environmental footprint, “enabling owners to make informed decisions about the sustainability of their devices.”
From take-back to take-forward

When it comes to technology take-backs, theory is good, but practice is better. Fortunately, several companies are already piloting or scaling successful circular economy initiatives in telecoms.
“Recycling electronic equipment results in carbon emission reductions approximately equivalent to the weight of the equipment,” explains Williams-Wynn. “Reuse or refurbishment has an even greater impact, with an order of magnitude higher reduction in emissions.”
“Companies like Vodafone and Ericsson have implemented schemes to recover and refurbish old devices, reducing the need for new products and minimising e-waste. These efforts not only reduce the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing new devices but also conserve valuable resources like metals and plastics,” notes Holm.

It’s not just about recovery — it’s about reinvention: “additionally, some companies have shifted to using recycled materials in the production of new devices, further reducing their environmental impact,” adds Holm.
These initiatives not only reduce resource demand but also help businesses meet regulatory and ESG commitments.

The power of partnerships

One company can’t go circular alone. The circular economy thrives on collaboration across manufacturers, telecoms firms, waste management providers, and policy makers.

“The circular economy thrives on collaboration, between telecoms companies, manufacturers, and technology lifecycle partners,” says Evans. “By embedding eco-design, improving asset tracking, managing networks sustainably and investing in end-of-life recovery, the industry can repurpose equipment, reduce waste and maximise value.”

However, Williams-Wynn notes that not all relationships are friction-free: “manufacturers are often hesitant to support refurbishment, viewing it as a threat to new device sales.” But, he argues, that’s a misconception. “Refurbished devices often reach a different market segment — consumers who may not afford new devices but aspire to own that brand, particularly in the case of premium models.”

As such, partnership is the way forward. “Manufacturers can provide certification or training to recycling organisations, ensuring refurbishment is carried out to a high standard and protects brand integrity. Telecommunications companies can further support this ecosystem by assisting with training efforts and reintroducing certified refurbished devices into the market, helping close the loop and make circular models more commercially viable.”

Holm emphasises that deeper partnerships can also lead to better infrastructure: “partnerships between telecommunications companies, manufacturers, and recycling organisations can make recycling more worthwhile by investing in the necessary equipment for efficient recycling. By engaging on shared sustainability targets, these collaborations can drive the reduction of reliance on virgin materials. Manufacturers can adapt their products to use fewer virgin materials, turning to readily available sources and recycled resources instead.”

This creates a virtuous loop of shared investment, shared value, and shared sustainability.

Mark Williams-Wynn, EWaste Africa

Barriers and breakthroughs

Going circular isn’t all green halos and glory. The road is paved with challenges — from consumer perception to logistical hurdles and regulatory red tape.
“One major barrier is consumer perception, with refurbished or pre-owned devices often being viewed as inferior, which leads to many customers preferring lower-quality new devices over high-quality refurbished ones. Additionally, due to a lack of awareness, customers may be hesitant to adopt circular models such as device rental, fearing they’ll lose access to older devices when upgrading,” says Williams-Wynn.

There’s also the issue of traceability. “These devices are often passed down through multiple users, making it hard to trace their origin,” notes Williams-Wynn. Without tracking, many end-of-life devices are simply dumped — lost to the loop.
To counter this, education is key. One of the key challenges telecommunications companies face in shifting towards a circular economy model is educating consumers about the importance of sustainable practices.

“Information sharing is crucial, as consumers need to understand the potential dangers of improper disposal and the benefits of recycling. To address this, companies can implement strategies to educate consumers on the facilities that handle e-waste, from production to end-of life, ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned with circular economy principles,” says Holm.
Indeed, “raising awareness about the benefits of refurbished devices, the value of circular economy practices, and proper end-of-life management can help shift perceptions and encourage more responsible consumer behaviour,” adds Williams-Wynn.

Regulatory challenges also play a significant role, with government regulations such as e-waste bans from landfills pushing companies to rethink their practices.
“To overcome these obstacles, telecommunications companies should engage in proactive strategies, such as investing in recycling infrastructure and adhering to strict sustainability guidelines,” says Holm. “This would not only comply with regulations but also align with circular economy goals, ensuring that materials are reused and resources are conserved for the long term.”

Yolandi Holm, EnviroServ

Circularity as a growth strategy

The circular economy offers a compelling, realistic path for the telecom industry to reduce waste, increase efficiency, and build resilient, future-proof networks. It’s not just about recycling — it’s about rethinking the entire product lifecycle, from design to disposal and beyond.

As always though, there’s an elephant in the (board)room: profitability. Can circularity deliver on the bottom line?
According to Evans, absolutely: “refurbishment plays a key role in this model, offering carbon savings of up to 93% compared to buying new.”
Those carbon savings translate directly into cost savings — on raw materials, production, logistics, and even brand equity. In regions like Africa, where access and affordability remain key challenges, circular models open new doors.

“This demonstrates how circular practices can reduce environmental impact and support digital inclusion and greener growth both across Africa and on a global scale,” says Evans.
Through collaboration, education, and bold investment in sustainable practices, the telecoms sector can become a leader in circular transformation — connecting the dots between innovation and environmental responsibility.