Vodacom’s Circular Economy Initiative Reduces E-Waste, Expands Access to Technology

South African telecom leader Vodacom is making strides in addressing the continent’s growing e-waste challenge while simultaneously providing more affordable tech options for consumers. Through its Good As New program, the company has successfully resold over 51,000 refurbished smartphones—devices that would otherwise likely end up in landfills.

Addressing a Critical Environmental Issue

South Africa generates an estimated 530,000 tonnes of e-waste annually, roughly eight kilograms per person. This makes the country both Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest e-waste producer (second only to Egypt) and one of the continent’s most pressing environmental concerns.

The Good As New program directly counters this trend by extending the life cycle of existing devices—preventing usable phones from becoming waste—and reducing the demand for new raw materials in manufacturing.

Beyond Smartphones: A Holistic Approach

Vodacom’s sustainability efforts extend beyond consumer devices. The company also recycled over 1,273 tonnes of network equipment last year as part of its RedLovesGreen initiative. Customers can now easily request home pickup for recycling through a partnership with Circular Energy.

The Good As New trade-in program allows customers to exchange eligible Samsung, Apple, Huawei, and Vivo devices at participating stores for discounts on upgrades or new plans—creating both environmental and economic benefits.