SA's first ISO-compliant e-waste company launched
3 November 2004
News
African Sky was launched last month, marking the advent of South Africa's first ISO 14001- and ISO 9000-compliant electronic waste recycling company. This burgeoning market is believed to be the world's fastest growing and potentially most dangerous problem.
African Sky is 52% owned by BEE investment specialist Vuthela Services. In an international relationship with Citiraya, a leading refinery, African Sky is poised to entrench itself in the business of recycling electronic waste (e-waste) such as defunct computers, cellphones and switchboards. Citiraya was established in Singapore in 1989 and commands a 70% share of the corporate market for scrapped electronics that manufacturers themselves collect and pass on for recycling.
Allan Werth, CEO of African Sky, says there is huge potential for the South African market. "In addition to providing an e-waste recycling service to local companies, we are ideally positioned to work with Citiraya due to South Africa's attractive combination of affordable labour and First World capability," he says.
Using a state-of-the-art factory in Benoni, African Sky disassembles the equipment, recycling the plastic and metal components of e-waste locally. The electronic components are shipped to Citiraya where all base materials are recycled. According to Werth, 96% of electronic equipment can be built from recycled material.
Johnny Clegg, director of African Sky and a founding member of Vuthela Services, says both organisations are committed to protecting the local environment. "Electronic components are full of toxins, and most electronic junk ends up choking landfills as these poisons seep into the ground."
Commenting on the business drivers behind e-waste recycling, he adds that the EU passed a directive in 2003 forcing electronics manufacturers to take back and recycle up to 75% of the products they sell. "South Africa will soon follow suit, and local companies with international ties are already expected to comply with these requirements," he says.
Further reading:
From the editor's desk: Inspiring the next generation
Technews Publishing
News
Welcome to the August issue of
Dataweek. Peter Howells is still on leave, so I am back for this issue. I hope you enjoy the content and find value in it.
August is Women’s Month in South Africa,
...
Read more...
Procurement is becoming a competitive advantage
RS South Africa
News
As mining, manufacturing and industrial businesses continue to navigate rising costs, supply chain disruption and increasing pressure to improve operational performance, procurement and inventory management have become strategic business priorities rather than simply administrative functions.
Read more...
Powell Electronics signs partnership agreement with IOT Electronics
IOT Electronics
News
Powell Electronics has entered into a partnership agreement with IOT Electronics to strengthen its presence across southern Africa.
Read more...
Omniflex delivers ICCP systems across London
Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
News
Omniflex has supplied impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) systems for a range of prominent buildings across London, helping to protect reinforced concrete structures from corrosion and extending their service life.
Read more...
New appointments for Würth Electronics South Africa
Würth Electronics South Africa
News
New appointments for Würth Electronics South Africa
Read more...
MTN celebrates 80 Western Cape digital graduates
News
Eighty unemployed young people from across the Western Cape have successfully completed MTN South Africa’s Digital Skills for Digital Jobs (DS4DJ) programme, earning accredited qualifications in Data Analytics, Systems Development and Cybersecurity.
Read more...
GirlCode Hackathon 2026 kicks off across South Africa and Botswana
News
GirlCode, in partnership with Absa Group, Truecaller, MTN, SAP Fioneer, RS South Africa and other ecosystem partners, successfully hosted the first leg of the 2026 GirlCode Hackathon.
Read more...
Rooibos heads to space
News
A South African scientific initiative linking agriculture and space research has officially launched today with the Rooibos in Space programme at Parklands College’s Innovation Centre in Cape Town.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: Local can be international
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice News
Welcome to the July 2026 issue of
Dataweek. As you can see from this introduction,
Dataweek’s regular editor, Peter Howells, is on extended leave and I am filling the void in his editor’s column – hopefully without being too boring.
Read more...
Landis+Gyr EMEA introduces new company name: EYKON
News
EYKON is the new company name of Landis+Gyr EMEA, formerly part of the Landis+Gyr Group. The company supports electricity, gas, water and thermal utilities in managing increasingly complex networks, improving operational efficiency and enabling more sustainable use of resources.
Read more...
printer friendly version