Photo: Phillip de Vos – Waterfall City Precinct Manager at Attacq, Doug Woolley – Dell Technologies, Ashley du Plooy – CEO of ERA, Natasha Moyo – Manager Technical Support Services at Dell Technologies and Mischa Tessendorf – Sustainability Project Manager at Attacq cutting the ribbon to celebrate the ERA bin placement at Waterfall Corner Shopping Centre.
Dell Technologies South Africa continues to blaze a trail for sustainability and endorses its commitment to managing e-waste responsibly. In partnership with local non-profit organisations ERA and Attacq, a strategic development partner in Waterfall City, the tech giant has placed a new e-waste recycling bin in the world-class mixed-use precinct in Johannesburg.
ERA (E-Waste Recycling Authority) supports e-waste management, infrastructure and networks in South Africa. Waterfall City is a safe, smart city renowned for its innovation, security, and world-class infrastructure, and it has been recognised as the world’s best mixed-use development for five years.
The collaboration underscores all three parties’ commitment to sustainability and innovation, making it easier for Waterfall City’s residents, businesses and shoppers to dispose of their electronic waste responsibly.
“Sustainability is at the core of Attacq’s strategy; part of this is waste management and reduction. We’ve done this by designing buildings with waste separation and waste management areas, and we’re pleased to partner with Dell Technologies and ERA to address the unique challenge of electronic waste through this recycling bin”, says Mischa Tessendorf, Sustainability Project Manager at Attacq. “This initiative is part of our purpose-driven approach to ensuring positive impact in our communities and the environment.”
The recycling bin, designed to accommodate everything from household appliances to smaller electronic items, is a significant step towards a greener future for the community. It is fully in line with Waterfall City’s ongoing sustainability efforts.
As the global use of electronics accelerates – according to the World Economic Forum, there are now more cellphones than people in the world – e-waste remains one of the most difficult types of waste to recycle, posing risks to both human health and the environment. In 2022, 62 billion kilograms of e-waste were generated worldwide, yet recycling rates remain exceptionally low, with less than 1% of e-waste recycled in Africa.
“We are proud to introduce our first bin placement in Waterfall City,” says Ashley du Plooy, CEO of ERA. “High-traffic areas like retail, estates and commercial buildings improve visibility and accessibility, leading to better recycling uptake. ERA aims to encourage South Africans to recycle their e-waste to support a sustainable future.”
The top loader recycling unit features easy-to-access compartments for different-sized waste items. It is placed in the car park at Waterfall Corner Shopping Centre in Waterfall City. It is designed to accommodate larger appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and everyday household e-waste items like irons, printers and TVs.
Dell Technologies strongly addresses climate change and minimises environmental impact with ambitious net zero goals and innovative, sustainable technologies and solutions. Dell Technologies addresses the full lifecycle – from increasing the use of recycled materials and minerals in products to making devices easier to repair and responsibly recycle.“
Technology has an important role in addressing environmental challenges. The IT industry is heavily dependent on finite raw materials – and discarded electronic items, in which valuable metals and minerals reside, are also important suppliers of these raw materials,” says Doug Woolley, General Manager and Vice President of Dell Technologies South Africa. “It’s especially great to make an impact so close to our head office.”
“Our vision is to establish Waterfall City as a benchmark for sustainable development in South Africa. We’re achieving this through various sustainability and smart building initiatives and are proud to add the e-waste recycling bin to this portfolio of sustainable solutions”, says Philip de Vos, Waterfall City Precinct Manager at Attacq.
These recycling infrastructure efforts align with Dell Technologies’ commitment to sustainability and ERA’s mission to drive up recycling rates in South Africa. As a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO), ERA focuses on improving waste management for electronic waste, lighting and batteries – collectively known as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Lighting (WEEEL). Proper management of WEEEL is essential due to the presence of toxic materials that pose environmental risks and valuable components that can be recovered and recycled, delivering tangible benefits to the environment.