What happens to your old phone after you drop it off at a Safaricom shop?
An old mobile phone gathering dust in a drawer could still have valuable materials inside it, even when it can no longer make calls, browse the internet or hold a charge. From the metals in its internal components to the plastics used in its casing, discarded electronics can provide materials for other products when properly […]
When an old mobile phone is dropped off at a Safaricom shop, it might seem like the device has reached the end of its life. However, the phone could still contain valuable materials that can be reused and repurposed. Safaricom's electronic waste collection campaign, which runs until November 13, 2026, encourages Kenyans to bring their unwanted mobile phones, chargers, earphones and small electronic accessories to Safaricom retail shops.
This is part of Safaricom's partnership with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Centre (WEEE Centre), a Kenyan organisation that specialises in collecting and recycling electronic waste. Once the devices arrive at the WEEE Centre, they are weighed, registered, and sorted before being directed towards one of three possible paths: reuse, refurbishment, or dismantling for recycling.
The exact route taken depends on the condition of the device. For instance, functional devices may be refurbished and resold, while devices that are beyond repair are dismantled for recycling. The materials recovered from these devices can be used to manufacture new products, such as plastic chairs and poles. Some materials can be recycled locally, while others may require specialised treatment through additional processing partners.
It's important to note that not every device will be treated the same way. Functional devices have a different recovery route than damaged devices. Improper disposal of electronic waste, such as open burning, dumping, or dismantling without protective equipment, can lead to pollution and expose people to hazardous substances. Safaricom's collection exercise reminds users to back up their data, remove SIM and memory cards, sign out of personal accounts, and perform a factory reset before handing over their devices.
Devices with damage should be handed over with guidance on protecting personal information, and customers should avoid dismantling devices or removing damaged batteries themselves. While Safaricom does not offer monetary compensation for the devices, the collection exercise has a broader purpose: to reduce electronic waste, recover useful materials, and ensure hazardous components are treated appropriately.
Written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
