Electronic waste (e-waste) remains one of the world’s fastest growing and most hazardous forms of waste, with improper disposal posing significant environmental risks due to the toxic components that are contained in these products, such as lead and mercury.
Massmart has maintained a longstanding commitment to minimizing operational waste through recycling, composting, and sustainable packaging initiatives. Central to these efforts is the group’s e-waste recycling programme in partnership with the e-Waste Recycling Authority (ERA.) Since 2008, members of the public have been able to dispose of their unwanted electronics in custom-built 20ft e-waste collection bins at Makro stores—establishing South Africa’s longest-running retailer-led e-waste recycling initiative.
Commenting on the initiative, Viratha Hariram, Senior Environmental Sustainability Manager at Massmart said, “Over the years, our e-waste programme has delivered significant results and we are proud to have now collected more than 1,640 tonnes of e-waste since inception. Thanks to our partners, each electronic product collected is carefully dismantled, valuable materials are recovered for reuse, plastics are recycled, and hazardous substances are safely disposed of—helping to prevent harm to both people and the environment.
This volume underscores Massmart’s continued progress and the public’s growing participation in e-waste recycling efforts.
“As we commemorate International E-Waste Day, we would like to encourage members of the public to continue recycling their e-waste, and together, contribute to a healthier environment for all,” she concluded.
