E-waste collection & recycling

Closing The Loop supports reuse by ensuring only non-functional devices enter the recycling stream, helping extend the life of usable phones in Africa. By providing responsible end-of-life disposal, the project also supports the long-term sustainability of the second-hand device market. Photo credit: Closing The Loop

Informal recycling methods, such as open-air burning of phone components, can release toxic substances that pollute air, soil, and water, harming ecosystems and human health. This project reduces these environmental risks by using formal, environmentally responsible recycling processes. Photo credit: Closing The Loop

This project provides ongoing and specialised training for its African partners, ensuring that workers stay updated on safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible waste management procedures. Photo credit: Closing The Loop

In Africa, informal workers handle most waste collection and are essential to keeping waste management systems functioning. Closing The Loop's model combines the strengths of informal collectors and the formal recycling sector by using local networks for e-waste collection, then transferring materials to certified facilities for safe recycling while creating more stable and legitimate income opportunities for collectors. Photo credit: Closing The Loop

Disassembly is a central element of e-waste recycling, enabling each component of electronic waste to be processed in the most efficient way. By separating materials, valuable metals can be recovered from discarded phones. Based on data from collection efforts in 2023 and 2024, it is estimated that the phones collected during this time will yield approximately 15,000kg of copper, 80kg of silver, and 11kg of gold. Photo credit: Closing The Loop

Phones being weighed to and prepared to be shipped to Italy for recycling.

why does e-waste collection and recycling matter so much?

Phones being collected in Nigeria. Photo credit Closing the Loop

Lebene Thelma Ledi, director at Maiden Environmental Services and local recycling partner of Closing the Loop, shares the environmental and social impact resulting from this collaboration.

Isaac Dinwe, an e-waste collector, emphasizes that through the Closing the Loop’s presence, safe e-waste management has become possible, turning this challenge into an economic opportunity for his community.

In 2021, Closing the Loop, Oeko-Institut e.V., Hinckley Associates Nigeria, and the PREVENT Waste Alliance embarked on a pilot project in Nigeria.The goal was to demonstrate that voluntary collection and recycling of monitors could evolve into a sustainable business model benefiting the local community. Fast forward to today, and what was once a pilot project has evolved into a successful small-scale business, steered by individuals like Iliya Abba.

Closing the loop’s collectors in Ghana, responsible for ensuring safe electronic waste management.

Local contact in Uganda bringing in a "big fish": end-of-life mobile phones that we can recycle

Our Nigerian partner found gold on the street!

At Closing the Loop, we encourage a circular mindset alongside impact on the ground: Let's: 📱 use our stuff as long as possible 🔧 repair and reuse it when it is broken ♻️ recycle what can't be fixed

Thanks to all our partners we were able to ship more than 400,000 phones from Uganda and Rwanda, ensuring e-waste is properly collected and treated at recycling facilities!

Did you know that e-waste recovery and recycling across Africa as well as guarding against ecological destruction contributes to a circular economy through fine jewellery being made from urban mined gold from scrap phones.

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