Ericsson has reached a major recycling milestone in Saudi Arabia. The company has helped collect and recycle nearly 5,000 metric tons of telecom e-waste in the Kingdom.
The work comes through its E-Waste Management Program. The initiative handles end-of-life network equipment from collection to final recycling.
This includes decommissioning, transport, and processing of old telecom hardware. Such equipment can include radios, cabinets, cables, and power systems.
Over the past two years, the program recycled more than 1,160 metric tons. Ericsson introduced the initiative in Saudi Arabia in 2008. It previously operated under the Product Take-Back Program name.
The program offers a structured route for ageing infrastructure. That matters as operators continue upgrading networks and modernising sites. Without clear recycling channels, redundant equipment can create growing environmental pressure.
However, telecom recycling needs strict controls. Operators must track equipment, manage logistics, and protect sensitive network components. They also need trusted partners with proper recycling licences.
Ericsson said all collected equipment goes to approved recycling partners. These companies hold required permits and show strong recycling performance. They also follow international environmental, health, and safety standards.
This approach helps recover materials for reuse. Metals and other components can return to manufacturing supply chains. That reduces landfill waste and lowers demand for newly mined raw materials.
The initiative also supports a circular model for telecom infrastructure. In simple terms, circularity keeps materials in use for longer. It turns retired assets into useful resources, instead of waste.
This matters for operators deploying newer network technologies, including 5G. Faster upgrade cycles can create more obsolete equipment. Recycling programs can help balance innovation with environmental responsibility.
The scheme also aligns with national sustainability targets. It contributes to the Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030. Both frameworks place strong focus on cleaner growth and resource efficiency.
Kirsty Fitzgibbon, Ericsson Europe, Head of Marketing, Communications & Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility, said: “Managing network equipment at the end of its lifecycle is an important part of reducing waste across the telecom sector.
“Through the Ericsson E-Waste Management Program, the recovered materials are returned to different manufacturing industries as secondary raw materials, supporting circular use of resources and reducing the need for virgin materials.’’
For telecom engineers and IT teams, the message is clear. Network design no longer ends at deployment. Lifecycle planning now extends to retirement, reuse, and responsible disposal.
