Essam Hashem, CEO of Dr. WEEE, has long been driven by the challenge of e-waste. His journey began with SpearInk, a printer cartridge recycling company. A local economic crisis pushed him to seek new horizons in Dubai, where he discovered the immense potential in e-waste refurbishment. He was deeply concerned by what he saw.

“I remember seeing laborers sorting e-waste in a way that was harmful to the environment,” Hashem recounted, noting how valuable components were discarded as mere solid waste. This ignited his vision: to create a company dedicated to the safe disposal of these materials, driven by concerns for both public health and economic benefits. 

Egypt is Africa’s largest generator of e-waste, producing a staggering 370,000 tons annually. This urgent need for proper disposal is partly due to Egypt’s large, youthful population. As Hashem explains, “We have such a high number of millennials, and half of our population are technology geeks.” Limited purchasing power often leads to buying cheaper electronics that depreciate faster, generating more waste. While an informal waste collection culture exists through “Robabekia peddlers,” they often lack awareness of the true value of precious metals in e-waste. 

Making E-Waste Recycling Accessible 

This is where Dr. WEEE steps in, making e-waste recycling both accessible and engaging. The business’s quirky name is a clever nod to “Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment.” Hashem hand-sketched the logo, depicting a mad scientist with a green coiffed hairdo. “I imagined Dr. WEEE as a guy who was mad about e-waste collection and would be able to do the very hard job of convincing people,” Hashem shared. 

After establishing this distinct public persona, the next challenge was efficient waste acquisition. Initial attempts to collaborate with “Robabekia peddlers” and voluntary donation drives were inefficient. They realized that to effectively collect e-waste, they needed to offer tangible incentives. 

Consequently, they launched their smartphone app in March 2017. The app encourages users to find old e-waste, earning points based on size. These points convert to cash when a Dr. WEEE driver collects the items. A key innovation is the integration of Artificial Intelligence, enabling users to calculate the carbon footprint of discarded electronics, estimate financial compensation, and approve collection terms. This supports environmental responsibility while enhancing user engagement and transparency. While amounts like EGP 15-20 ($0.80-$1.10) for older phones or EGP 25 ($1.38) for laptops may seem modest, Hashem notes they are sufficient to motivate participation. “We are offering value for zero-value items,” he explained. Users can even exchange points for city transportation subscriptions. 

From Local Collection to Global Impact 

Once collected, electronics arrive at Dr. WEEE’s Cairo facility. Trained laborers meticulously dismantle, sort, and classify the e-waste. Dr. WEEE adds real value by locally processing recovered materials and producing components for the Egyptian market, supporting import alternatives and enhancing local industry through circular economy practices. Non-recyclable materials are responsibly sent to a specialized landfill. Many components are highly valuable, containing gold, silver, copper, platinum, and other precious minerals. 

Once 15 tons of valuable waste are accumulated, it’s exported for advanced processing. Dr. WEEE’s long-term ambition is to manage all e-waste processing in-house. They’ve already developed a portable electronic waste shredder for secure destruction and recycling of computer hard drives, allowing Dr. WEEE to tap into government and banking sectors. 

Dr. WEEE is expanding its profound impact globally through a robust franchising model. Their first franchise partner in South Africa, CMYK Industries, joined in early 2017. CMYK’s founder, Patrick Naude, noted that “many of our customers don’t know how to dispose of electronic items safely,” highlighting how Dr. WEEE’s training empowers CMYK Industries to manage waste correctly. Dr. WEEE is now expanding across Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, offering three distinct franchise levels with meticulous training. 

A significant strategic alliance formed in May 2025 with HTS Group, in collaboration with European partner Eco Avant-Garde. HTS, an expert in digital payment systems, and Eco Avant-Garde, a leader in sustainability technologies, will enhance Dr. WEEE’s capacity to scale its impact. This marks a new journey toward a digital circular economy.

“Eco Avant-Garde contributes its renowned expertise in integrating sustainability and technology,” stated Nicola Munaron, founder of Eco Avant-Garde. 

SpearInk, founded by Essam Hashem in 2006, also plays a key role, recycling ink cartridges and producing refilling machines. These efforts align with Egypt’s national goals and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, enhancing environmental performance and public financial efficiency. Through this collaboration, Dr. WEEE and its partners are launching a smart digital platform for e-waste management and raising public awareness through campaigns and educational programs. Innovation in Environmental Awareness: The Dr. WEEE Children’s Game.

As innovations continue, Dr. WEEE is proud to announce its latest technological achievement in raising environmental awareness: the first Arabic electronic game designed specifically to foster eco-consciousness in children and students. This game transforms screen time into a positive educational experience by employing adventure to protect the environment, teaching recycling and e-waste management through interactive challenges, and instilling environmental responsibility at an early age. 

The game features an innovative reward system with “Dr. WEEE Coins,” a virtual currency. Children collect points by completing virtual environmental tasks, participating in challenges to protect the virtual environment, exchanging points for real educational and environmental rewards, and competing with peers. This game is expected to significantly impact the environmental awareness of the next generation of Egyptians, boost e-waste collection and recycling rates long-term, shift consumer behaviors towards sustainability, and promote shared environmental responsibility. 

This game is a natural extension of Dr. WEEE’s vision, combining technological innovation with social responsibility. It emphasizes education and awareness as fundamental pillars for sustainable change and reinforces the circular economy. This strategic alliance and educational initiatives, especially the innovative children’s game, are setting the stage for significant advancements in sustainable e-waste management, demonstrating a tangible commitment to a greener, more responsible future, one device at a time. 

Find out more about Dr WEEE through their website and social channels:

Web: http://drweee.net/

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/DrWEEE/

Android app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eco.drweee

Photos: Courtesy of Dr. WEEE