SA’s e-waste: Households urged to unlock value in old devices

South Africa’s tech retail sector is moving steadily toward a circular economy model, with iStore CEO Chris Dodd predicting that the future will be defined not by rapid device turnover, but by keeping existing technology in use for longer. 

He says the shift is no longer just an environmental ideal but a business imperative, as e-waste grows and consumers begin to recognise the value locked inside old devices.

According to the Global E-Waste Monitor, Africa formally recycles less than 1% of its electronic waste.

"I think every household in South Africa has that cupboard or box with old technology, and it's always there as a spare device or something they may use one day. I think the biggest thing they're not seeing is, firstly, the value in it. The longer it sits in that cupboard, the less value it has. They devalue relatively quickly, and the harm they do when you throw these devices away, they contain heavy metals and often hazardous chemicals and all of that's going into our environment. It could end up in the wrong hands, and the recycling could potentially be harmful if it's done in the wrong way. There's another big risk, which is the data risk. “

Dodd expects far more organised disposal sites and tighter regulation in the next five to 10 years, pushing both retailers and consumers to adopt responsible tech practices.

To listen to Dodd in conversation with Amy Mac Iver on CapeTalk's Views and News, click below: