UNIDO, Orange Join Forces to Curb Rising E-Waste in Egypt

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Orange have partnered with others in a joint effort to tackle e-waste in Egypt. The two-year pilot project is implemented with support from various local and international players including Nokia, Cordon Group, Sofrecom Group, eTadweer.

The pilot project is part of the Switch to Circular Economy Value Chains project (SWITCH2CE), which is co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the Government of Finland. It will launch the first refurbishment centre in Egypt in 2024, which will provide employment opportunities to local technicians.

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The pilot project aims to collect and recycle residual e-waste from customers. By promoting reuse of products and extending their life, the partners aim to attain reduced e-waste generation. The collected devices in working condition will be refurbished and sent to local markets for use.

As per rough estimates, Egypt generates approximately 585.8 kilotons of waste every year. The country’s e-waste generation accounts for nearly 20% of the total e-waste generated by the entire African region. The government has set a target of boosting the recycling rate by 25% by the end of the current decade.