Tele2 Commits to reuse and recycle 30% of its distributed phones by 2030

In 2021, 57 million tons of e-waste was generated worldwide from electronic hardware and among the contributors to this issue was mobile phones. Recognizing the severity of the problem, Tele2 intends to take a leading position in the industry and commits to take back the equivalent of at least 30% of the total distributed devices in 2030. Tele2 also commits to ensuring that 100% of used mobile devices collected through operator take back schemes are repaired, reused or transferred to controlled recycling organisations.

-          The growing amount of e-waste, including mobile phones, that is generated each year is not only an environmental challenge for our industry, but also a huge loss of potential financial value. To promote a more circular flow of resources is a key priority for Tele2, and we are setting an ambitious target to take back 30% of distributed mobile phones by 2030. As the environmental and business benefits of implementing a circular business model are clear, I hope that many more operators around the world will join us in the ambition of zero waste and increased take back rate by 2030, says Erik Wottrich, Head of Sustainability at Tele2.   

The GSMA project that Tele2 has co-led together with Orange has resulted in a new set of pace-setting targets with the clear goal towards a circular economy for the telecom industry.

-          Mobile connectivity is playing a major role in helping all sectors of the economy reduce their climate impact, enabling smarter and more efficient manufacturing, transport, and building, to name a few. We believe in the need to move to a more circular economy to reduce the impact of mobile technology on the environment, and applaud the latest commitments from 12 leading operators* to accelerate the transition to greater circularity. In addition to the environmental benefits, more efficient and responsible use of resources could lower costs and make devices more affordable for the unconnected., says John Giusti, Chief Regulatory Officer for the GSMA.

* Operators include: BT Group, Globe Telecom, GO Malta, Iliad, KDDI, NOS, Orange, Proximus, Safaricom, Singtel, Telefonica and Tele2.

Notes to the editors:

Press release from GSMA from June 27th 2023
"MOBILE INDUSTRY EYES FIVE BILLION ‘DORMANT’ PHONES SITTING IN DESK DRAWERS FOR REUSE OR RECYCLING"

The initiative builds on the GSMA’s Strategy Paper for Circular Economy: Mobile Devices, published in November 2022, which lays out the following vision for the industry:

Press release from May 15, 2023: Tele2 ranked number one in Europe’s Climate Leaders 2023”

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