Stakeholders in the technology space needs to end lip-service on measures to reduce the electronic waste generated by the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools in the country.
According to the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, there is the need for conscious measures to reduce the electronic waste noting that it has become imperative given the dynamism in technology economic changes.
Maida who made this call at the 2023 ITREALMS E-Waste Dialogue with the theme: ‘You can recycle anything with a plug, battery, and cable’, also said that .Nigeria, stands to benefit more by taking conscious measures to reduce the e-waste generated using ICT Tools and equipment in the country.
The EVC who was represented by the Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity at the NCC, Dr. Lawal Bello said “This will not only save the country’s expenditure but also less e-waste to manage.”
Maida listed some E-Waste benefits and opportunities associated with conscious efforts, asserting that the environmental and economic benefits of recycling telecom equipment abound.
Recycling telecom equipment, for instance, he said, could reduce Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, save energy, and prevent e-waste from polluting the environment.
“It can also generate value for telcos by reusing, repairing, or reselling hardware and devices,” he said.
The best practices of telcos embracing sustainability, he said, would entail that some telcos should launch initiatives to promote recycling and circularity, as UK Vodafone’s internal asset marketplace, which allowed operators to repurpose excess or decommissioned hardware, or its device trade-in programme, which encourages customers to return their old devices for recycling or refurbishment.
Pointing out that other telcos have set ambitious targets to reduce their carbon footprint and increase their use of renewable energy.
Nigerian telecoms operator and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) manufacturers, Maida advised could adopt device trade-in.
He advised, would be nudged to adopt similar ideas on device trade-in programs to reduce E-waste in the country especially for mobile phones and tablets.
