Sustainaibility

ERTH: A case study on the e-waste recycling revolution in Greater KL

Source: ERTH

Imagine a future where electronic devices past their lifecycles don't poison our environment but are responsibly recycled to create new, valuable materials. This vision to optimise electronic waste (or e-waste) management, is becoming a reality in Malaysia, thanks to pioneering initiatives like ERTH (E-waste Recycling Through Heroes).

About ERTH

Founded by Mohamed “Mo” Tarek El-Fatatry and Nahed Bedir Eletribi, ERTH turns the e-waste crisis into an opportunity for innovation and economic growth. Through sustainable waste management efforts, the organisation showcases Malaysia’s leadership potential in green technology—with Greater Kuala Lumpur (KL), a hub of innovation and sustainability, as the perfect backdrop.

As one of the social enterprises certified by Jabatan Alam Sekitar to dispose and recycle e-waste, the organisation’s unique approach combines responsible e-waste disposal with cash incentives, fostering community-driven environmental preservation. To date, it has diverted more than 1,000,000 kilograms of e-waste from landfills since 2019, with the help of over 1,000 freelancers known as Heroes.

To understand the importance of ERTH’s work, we must first explore the scope of the e-waste problem in Malaysia—and how Greater KL is overcoming this global challenge.

The e-waste crisis in Malaysia

What is electronic waste?

E-waste, comprising discarded electronic devices, is one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally. Improper disposal can release toxic substances, including lead and mercury, into the environment, posing severe health risks.

How is Malaysia affected by e-waste?

In Malaysia, approximately 365 kilotonnes of e-waste are generated annually, surpassing the height of the Petronas Twin Towers. Despite past mitigation initiatives, only 5% of e-waste is disposed of properly, highlighting the need for improved management and public awareness. What’s more, despite representing just a small percentage of household waste, e-waste also accounts for 70% of toxic heavy metal pollution in the environment.

In light of these challenges, it’s crucial to examine how Greater KL explicitly addresses this pressing issue through its regulatory frameworks.

The e-waste crisis in Malaysia

Governmental policies

Industrial and commercial regulations

The Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005: The Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005 mandates industries to report and properly dispose of e-waste via the eSWIS portal. Industries must categorise, store, and dispose of scheduled wastes, including e-waste, to prevent environmental contamination.

Household e-waste management

Currently under review by the Attorney General’s Chambers, the new Proposed Environmental Quality (Household Scheduled Waste) Regulation aims to formalise household e-waste management, establishing guidelines for segregation, storage, and disposal. This encourages households to participate in structured e-waste collection programmes.

Public awareness campaigns

The Mobile E-Waste: Old Phone, New Life campaign, led by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), complements these regulations by increasing the collection of small electronics. Along with 121 collection centres and 35 licensed companies dedicated to e-waste treatment, this national effort showcases a cohesive strategy to address the e-waste challenge sustainably.

Global frameworks and best practices

The Basel Convention

This international treaty reduces the movement of hazardous waste between nations, especially from developed to less developed countries⁴. It provides guidelines for the transboundary movement and disposal of hazardous waste, preventing illegal dumping. Malaysia benefits as a signatory by adhering to its guidelines for effective e-waste management.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Introduced by Swedish academic Thomas Lindhqvist in 1990, the EPR framework mandates producers to manage the collection and treatment of their products responsibly. Countries like Japan have implemented EPR, achieving high recycling rates. Malaysia aims to adopt similar frameworks to align with global standards.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

The OECD's guidelines on the extended producer responsibility framework further emphasise the role of producers in eco-friendly product cycle management. Aligning with OECD guidelines, Malaysia is strengthening its e-waste management policies, promoting sustainable practices within Greater KL.

Combined, these three frameworks set the stage for innovative solutions and impactful partnerships in Greater KL—such as those spearheaded by ERTH.

ERTH efforts: partnerships powering progress

ERTH has partnered with several organisations to promote responsible e-waste recycling in Malaysia – and trigger positive socioeconomic impacts. Here are five cornerstone partnerships under its belt:

Pos Malaysia

Pos Malaysia in partnership with ERTH to drive better e-waste management. (Source: Pos Malaysia)

ERTH partnered with Pos Malaysia to simplify the transportation of e-waste from collection points to ERTH's recycling facilities. This collaboration aimed to make e-waste recycling more accessible throughout Peninsular Malaysia. By leveraging Pos Malaysia’s extensive logistics network, ERTH ensures that collected e-waste is efficiently transported to their recycling centres, making it easier for citizens to participate in responsible e-waste disposal. This initiative also creates job opportunities for local communities, contributing to the local economy.

BASF

BASF, a global chemical company, collaborated with ERTH to launch an e-waste recycling campaign for its employees in Malaysia. The campaign provided on-site collection points and mail-in options, encouraging employees to recycle their e-waste responsibly. The collected e-waste was recycled, and the cash rewards were pooled and donated to charity. This initiative not only promoted environmental sustainability but also contributed to social causes, amplifying its impact. By engaging employees in sustainability practices, BASF fosters a culture of environmental responsibility that extends beyond the workplace.

Volvo Car Malaysia

The initiative comes off the back of Volvo Car Malaysia’s ongoing sustainability campaign – the Volvo Green Planet – which aims to bring greater awareness towards today’s pressing climate concerns and propel the brand closer to its long-term goal of becoming climate neutral by 2040. (Source: Business Times)

In 2021, ERTH combined forces with Volvo Car Malaysia to provide E-waste Green Boxes to its factory and showrooms. This initiative aimed to tackle e-waste generated by Volvo's operations and promote responsible e-waste disposal practices. By integrating e-waste management into its corporate sustainability strategy, the company set a precedent for other companies to follow, demonstrating the importance of corporate responsibility in environmental stewardship.

Maxis

The award-winning campaign offers free e-waste collection in the Klang Valley, Johor Bahru, and Penang. (Source: Maxis)

ERTH's impactful collaboration with Maxis showcases the power of corporate partnerships in advancing sustainable e-waste management. Since October 2023, their joint campaign has successfully prevented over five tonnes of e-waste from reaching landfills, earning international recognition with the Excellence in Sustainability Video Award at the GSMA M360 Asia Pacific. In 2024, ERTH extended this initiative by partnering with Maxis to launch a free postal drop-off service at over 1,000 Pos Malaysia outlets, which has already helped divert an additional 29 tonnes of e-waste. This initiative underlines ERTH's leading role in promoting environmental sustainability through innovative and accessible recycling solutions while fostering responsible e-waste disposal habits nationwide.

SSM and InvestKL

InvestKL through IKLCares and ERTH launched an e-waste recycling initiative at Menara SSM, Kuala Lumpur Sentral. This effort is supported by the Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM)

In partnership with InvestKL and Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM), ERTH launched an e-waste recycling initiative at Menara SSM, KL Sentral, back in November 2023. This initiative, part of InvestKL’s IKLCares programme, underscores the importance of city-wide responsible e-waste management and reinforces a shared commitment to promoting sustainable practices within Malaysia’s corporate sector.

Zero e-waste for a greener future

ERTH’s initiatives highlight the importance of responsible e-waste management in Greater KL. By addressing both environmental and socioeconomic aspects, the organisation is paving the way for an inclusive future for all. Its partnerships with companies with strong vision for waste-free sustainability demonstrate the power of collaboration in driving positive change.

These initiatives not only reduce e-waste but also stimulate the local economy by creating more jobs, particularly for the underprivileged community, and fostering a green economy at large. What’s more, these successes present attractive opportunities for foreign investors interested in Greater KL’s burgeoning sustainability and green innovation practices.

Ultimately, supporting ERTH’s initiatives is crucial for mitigating the adverse effects of e-waste and promoting a healthier, cleaner environment for all.

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