With the annual Black Friday (28 November) and Cyber Monday (1 December) sales rapidly approaching, ERA NPC, South Africa’s foremost authority on e-waste matters, is issuing a vital appeal to consumers and businesses.

“We urge the public to responsibly recycle their old and unwanted electrical and electronic appliances before purchasing new ones, helping to mitigate the looming e-waste crisis”, says Ashley du Plooy, CEO of ERA NPC.

Addressing South Africa’s E-waste Ticking Time Bomb:

South Africa is facing a critical challenge, often described as a ‘ticking time bomb’ by industry commentators like MyBroadband, as the volume of electronic waste continues to mount. The statistics are concerning: the “Surmounting Mountains Of E-waste 2025” report highlights the exponentially growing quantity of electronic and electrical waste being generated in the country.

This waste stream is the fastest-growing globally, and inadequate disposal practices, such as sending e-waste to landfill, risk contaminating soil and water with hazardous toxins like lead and mercury.

This Black Friday and Cyber Monday, millions of new products will be sold, inevitably leading to the discarding of older devices. By preparing for new purchases through responsible recycling, South African consumers and businesses can actively prevent a surge of harmful e-waste from entering our environment.

Simple Steps for Responsible Recycling

Consumers and businesses have a clear role to play. Instead of hoarding or disposing of old devices improperly, ERA NPC encourages the public to use their extensive collection network.

Examples of Small Electrical Appliances to Recycle:

• Small Household Appliances: Toasters, kettles, hair dryers, blenders, vacuum cleaners.
• IT Equipment: Old cell phones, laptops, keyboards, monitors, printers.
• Consumer Electronics: Remote controls, digital cameras, headphones, old DVD players.

How you can get involved

Locate your nearest official ERA e-waste drop-off bin at major retailers including Pick n Pay and Makro today. ERA NPC’s network of registered collection points ensures your old appliances are handled and recycled by compliant processors.

Find your nearest ERA e-waste bin using the location map on ERA’s website: https://eranpc.co.za/for-the-public/find-an-ewaste-drop-off-location/

A Message for the Future

ERA NPC is dedicated to establishing a functional circular economy for electrical and electronic equipment in South Africa. This requires the commitment of every citizen.
Du Plooy stresses the long-term significance of our current actions:

“Our e-waste recycling habits now ensure the future of our children tomorrow. By making a conscious choice to recycle your old appliances today, you are directly protecting our environment and conserving valuable resources for the generations who will inherit this country. Responsible disposal is not merely an option; it is an obligation to our future.”

ERA NPC urges the public to make a conscious effort this holiday season. Prioritise responsible disposal of your old equipment ahead of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday rush to ensure a cleaner, healthier future for all South Africans.