IVORY COAST: MTN continues its E-waste collection and recycling campaign

MTN Côte d’Ivoire wants to give a second life to electrical and electronic waste. On December 10^th, 2020, the subsidiary of the mobile phone operator MTN, launched in the capital Abidjan the 3^rd edition of its “E-waste” campaign. The initiative aims to mobilize, raise awareness and involve Ivorian companies and individuals in the management of electrical and electronic waste.

In concrete terms, MTN Côte d’Ivoire will distribute boxes for the collection of E-waste to companies in this West African country. Private individuals will be able to deposit their waste in boxes that will be installed in agencies and shopping centres. In both cases, the expected waste will be household appliances (small devices), fixed or mobile phones, tablets, chargers or telephone batteries.

Preserving the environment

According to MTN Côte d’Ivoire, the electrical and electronic equipment collected will be transformed and reused. The collection will take place over a period of four months. “Our campaign will also help to protect the environment and the health of the population,” says Natenin Coulibaly, MTN’s Secretary General. Côte d’Ivoire alone produces 9,000 tonnes of electronic waste every year.

MTN Côte d’Ivoire has been collecting and recycling “E-waste” for several years in this West African country. In September 2019, the supermarket Promusa joined forces with MTN Côte d’Ivoire and the recycling company Ewa-Paganetti to rid its customers of their electrical and electronic waste within twelve months.

An operation launched on February 13^th, 2019 had already enabled the operator to recycle 10 tonnes of electronic equipment waste. In 2016, MTN Côte d’Ivoire also initiated a campaign that resulted in the recycling of 72 tonnes of E-waste in the country. “To date, 100 tonnes of WEEE have been collected in Côte d’Ivoire,” says Natenin Coulibaly, MTN’s Secretary General.

Inès Magoum