Ericsson, Entel partner to drive e-waste disposal and recycling in Chile

Entel, a leading mobile operator in Chile, is partnering with Ericsson as part of Ericsson's global Ecology Management Product Take-Back program to minimize the potential environmental impact associated with the disposal of decommissioned electrical equipment (e-waste).

The program is part of Ericsson's sustainability and corporate responsibility efforts geared toward ensuring accountability for the environmental impacts of all products and services during their lifecycles. It ensures that end-of-life material is treated in an environmentally responsible manner by globally accredited e-waste recycling partners.

Ericsson provides e-waste services as part of the company's Extended Producer Responsibility. Ericsson offers the program to all customers globally, not only in Europe where it is required by law. This guarantees that e-waste does not end up in trade-restricted areas, landfill or in places where unethical business practices are taking place.

Antonio Büchi, CEO, Entel Chile, says: "Entel's commitment to the environment is one of the cornerstones of our business. Currently in Chile, we are undergoing a major change in the treatment of waste generated by businesses. The new Extended Producer Responsibility law, or EPR, poses a major challenge for all companies, especially larger ones. Entel has had recycling programs for our technological materials, such as mobile phones, in place for some time now. We are very excited about this new partnership with Ericsson, one of our main network implementation partners, especially because it is aligned to the highest standards in regard to the treatment of recycled materials."

Nicolas Brancoli, Vice President, Ericsson Latin America, says: "This program reflects the commitment of our company, not only to issues of connectivity in Chile, but to sustainability and corporate responsibility in the country. Ericsson's e-waste recovery agreement with Entel marks a new milestone in our strategic alliance of over 18 years and extends the scope of this initiative in Latin America. It also helps create market awareness about e-waste and gives us the assurance that material nearing the end of its useful life is treated in an environmentally responsible manner."

This partnership exemplifies the spirit of Chile's new Extended Producer Responsibility law, soon to be enacted, which gives manufacturers and companies dealing in products such as electrical and electronic equipment the responsibility of organizing and financing recovery and waste management of their derivative products.

Pablo Badenier, Minister of the Environment, Government of Chile, says: "This e-waste recycling program is an example of what the Extended Producer Responsibility law seeks to accomplish. Electronic devices and associated products generate a large volume of waste products upon expiration, due to the quick advancement of technology. The smart decision is thus to recycle and give them a new life where they are used as new raw material. This is sustainable development and what we want to see as a government."