Case Study Spotlight: Closing the Loop “One for One” Program

Since 2022, Vodafone Germany has been working with Dutch social enterprise Closing the Loop (CTL) to offer its customers an innovative circular business model called One for One.

One for One means that for one new phone sold (by Vodafone), one scrap phone is responsibly recycled in countries without proper recycling facilities (done by CTL).

This initiative bridges the gap between high-tech consumption in the Global North and e-waste challenges in the Global South, proving that circularity can be scalable, actionable, inclusive and consumer-friendly. So far, 1.5 million scrap phones (80 tonnes of e-waste) have been collected, and this number is increasing.

Beyond reducing waste, One for One also creates income opportunities for local collection networks, showing how sustainable business models drive economic progress.

Vodafone positions One for One next trade-in and repair services, offering customers a full suite of circular solutions. Meanwhile, Closing the Loop is expanding the service globally and advancing plans to establish Africa’s first e-waste smelter, a key step in urban mining and material reuse. Click here to read the full case study.*