Telefónica cuts e-waste usage

Details: Manny Pham; Category: Operators; 11 June 2026; 243 views

Telefónica announced it reused or recycled 95% of the waste generated across its operations in 2025, marking progress towards its goal of achieving zero waste by 2030.

The operator managed more than four million devices from customers, network operations and offices under reuse and recycling programmes during the year. Around 75% of collected electronic devices were reused, while the remaining 25% were recycled.

The programme included around three million routers and set-top boxes, helping to reduce the need for new hardware production and lowering associated carbon emissions.

Telefónica said circular economy initiatives are becoming an increasingly important part of its sustainability strategy, supporting resource efficiency, emissions reduction and long-term competitiveness.

In network infrastructure, the operator reused more than 780,000 pieces of equipment during 2025. It also met an industry commitment backed by the GSMA to reuse or recycle 100% of collected network equipment.

The company also collected almost 95 tonnes of mobile devices during the year and reused more than 357,000 handsets. Telefónica said this represented the collection of 15% of all devices it distributed, with every recovered handset either reused or recycled.

Maya Ormazabal, Telefónica’s global director of sustainability, said the circular economy had become a key pillar of the company’s sustainability strategy and an important driver of efficiency, innovation and competitiveness.