Pioneering circular economy in e-waste management of solar kits
At OffgridSun, our mission is to drive sustainability and innovation in renewable energy. We are excited to spotlight our partner, Inter Ethiopia Solutions PLC, a company at the forefront of circular economy practices and e-waste management in Ethiopia. Their work not only addresses critical environmental challenges but also provides affordable energy solutions to communities in need.
Our collaboration with Inter Ethiopia began in 2013, but in recent years, due to political and currency problems in Ethiopia, it has not been possible to bring new products onto the market. Therefore in 2023 Inter Ethiopia Solutions started with a pilot project involving 800 old OffgridSun Energy Stations. The success of this initiative was driven by Inter Ethiopia Solutions’ innovative buyback program, which focused on refurbishing returned products. Remarkably, they managed to refurbish 85% of the items in a small workshop, setting the stage for future growth.
Building on this success, the company has scaled up its operations significantly. Today, they collect and process over 30 tonnes of solar e-waste annually, and they have refurbished more than 3,000 solar home systems. These refurbished systems are distributed to refugee camps across Ethiopia, in partnership with local and international organisations, providing essential energy access to vulnerable populations.
The company has developed a process to repurpose lithium-ion batteries from collected e-waste into larger energy storage systems. These systems are then used to power rural businesses, health facilities, and agricultural pumps, ensuring a reliable and sustainable energy supply in off-grid areas.
Zelalem Nigatu, CEO and Founder of the company, intends to scale up this business, coming from over 15 years of experience in solar home system distribution across Ethiopia with over 200,000 solar home systems sold.
Inter Ethiopia Solutions’ work has far-reaching impacts. They have created 16 full-time jobs focused on refurbishing and e-waste management, and they have developed and tested three types of refurbished battery packs, which are now moving towards mass production. Looking ahead, the company plans to expand its operations and increase its e-waste processing capacity, further contributing to a sustainable circular economy.
At OffgridSun, we are proud to support their commitment to sustainability and innovation. This is a powerful example of how businesses can lead the way in creating a greener, more equitable future. Together, we are making strides towards a world where renewable energy is accessible to all, and e-waste is effectively managed.
If you would like to learn more about Inter Ethiopia Solutions’ work and possibilities of collaboration, don’t hesitate to go on their website https://interethiopia.com/ or contact zelalem@interethiopia.com or info@offgridsun.com