As technology evolves faster than ever, the devices we use are rapidly becoming obsolete, and e-waste is becoming an increasingly visible aspect of the waste problem of our planet. When disposed of conventionally, these wastes aggravate the negative effects of the climate crisis due to emission of greenhouse gases and threaten human health. At Vodafone Turkey, eliminating generation of e-waste and adopting circular economy models that focus on efficiency is a material issue for us. Therefore, in May 2019 we launched our Waste to Code project, which we aim to convert e-waste to added value, thus creating a social and environmental impact. We collect electronic waste that our employees and the employees of our business partners, and customers bring from their houses and ensure that these wastes are recycled by the licensed recycling company Akademi Çevre. We have recycled more than 16 tons of e-waste to date in the project, where we collect a wide range of e-waste from small household appliances to IT equipment, in cooperation with our 52 business partners who support the project. With the economic income generated by recycling, we are establishing coding classes in schools. We have established 8 coding classes in primary and secondary schools, in the provinces of Mardin, Samsun, Adana, Gaziantep, Bingöl, Çanakkale, Uşak, and Bursa, where we reached more than 8 thousand children. In the upcoming months, we hope to expand our project with the help of more business partners and increase the number of classes we offer by recycling more e-waste.

https://www.vodafone.com.tr/bu-atiklar-kod-yaziyor

• Türkiye (Republic of)

• Youth

Waste to Code project can be replicated by other companies or institutions in Turkey. A licensed company can collect and recycle e-waste. The recycled e-waste will generate an economic value and this economic value can be used for creating social value. Institutions and companies can invest the money generated from recycling e-waste to various social projects. Our project has been an example for other companies in Turkey. Also, the project can be replicated by other countries.

Although e-wastes account for only 1% of the world's waste, e-wastes cause 70% of the hazardous material pollution in the soil. As Vodafone Turkey, we believe that we are responsible for the environment, and we are working to minimize our environmental impact. In this direction, with our Waste to Code project we aim to encourage the recycling of e-waste and raise awareness about sustainability. Through recycling e-wastes we bring precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, palladium as well as metal, glass, and plastic into the circular economy as secondary raw material. Recycling e-wastes enable us to reduce generation of new materials and aim to keep resources in use for as long as possible.

Project promotes WSIS values by carefully recycling discarded hardware and components used in ICTS with the help of licensed company Akademi Çevre. Also, supports WSIS values through creating an environment where students can advance their digital capabilities and be part of the information society. With the assistance of qualified trainers, students are building their ICT literacy skills in the coding classes. Indeed, the economic value generated from recycled e-wastes enables us to facilitate accessibility of ICTs for disadvantaged groups. We provide free-of-charge access to computers and coding trainings for students around Turkey with our 8 coding classes.