Three South African companies have joined forces to combine resources and expertise to promote environmentally responsible disposal of used electronic goods.

Rising volumes of electronic waste (e-waste) are a significant concern prompting the need for comprehensive and sustainable e-waste management solutions. As a result, Samsung Electronics South Africa, Makro and DESCO have created a joint e-waste recycling programme. An estimated 3 tonnes of e-waste will be collected per month per bin during the campaign period.

Makro MD Doug Jones points out that e-waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world. “As a leading retailer of high tech products and large appliances, it made sense for us to assist in reducing the volume of e-waste being sent to landfill,” he explained. “This initiative provides both our retail and commercial customers with a convenient avenue to ensure their e-waste is recycled responsibly and in the event that this is not possible, it is safely disposed of.”

Michelle Potgieter, Director of Corporate Marketing and Communications at Samsung Electronics SA, says it is the company’s responsibility as a manufacturer to ensure that its products are properly disposed of.  “This campaign encourages the community to think about the environmental impact of their actions and the role they can play in bringing about positive change in their communities. We are proud to be associated with DESCO and Makro and look forward to making a difference to the environment with our partners,” she said.