Communications, Space and Technology Commission(CST) announced that the “Recycle Your Device” initiative has collected more than 70 thousand e-devices with a market value of 20 million SAR. The initiative succeeded in recycling and repairing more than 170 tons of e-devices, in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the National Center for Waste Management, and Ertiqa Organization.
Mr. Naif Sheshah, The Deputy Governor For Planning And Development clarified that the “Recycle Your Device” initiative is the first national initiative to recycle e-devices and one of the factors in enabling sustainability and applying strategic directions according to the Kingdom's aspirations and leadership in the field of sustainable development., and stated that the Commission aimed to increase electronic recycling rates, raise environmental awareness, promote community solidarity and recycling practices in the Kingdom, and support the circular economy.
Sheshah also noted that through its public and private partners, the initiative has successfully supported more than 50 charities and schools, with 27 businesses co-donating devices and over 10,000 individuals donating their electronic devices.
The following factors contributed to the initiative's success: supervision and governance of its work, media visibility to raise awareness of it, production of guides to familiarize the public with the methods of participation, provision of flexible means of participation to donate and deliver devices, development of a dedicated website for the initiative, and collaboration of partners to motivate participation and provide various rewards to participants.
The Deputy Governor concluded his participation with the commission’s recognition of the Initiative's partners for their contribution to its success, who were14 partners: STC, Mobily, Zain, Go Companey, Salam, DHL, Lebara, Riyadh Bank, SAMSA, Jahez, Ertiqa Organization, SIRC, Aqwas, and Digital Attaa.
The first phase of the initiative was launched in the middle of September 2022 targeting the business sector, and the second phase was in the middle of December 2022 targeting individuals, and it did not go beyond mid-January 2023 until the participants' contributions totaled more than 70 thousand devices, leading the Commission to extend it until the end of March 2023 due to its popularity.
