Communications technology and services firm Ericsson has joined forces with MTN Benin to launch the first e-waste collection and awareness drive in the West African country.

In a statement Ericsson says the campaign is geared towards creating awareness and minimising the potential environmental impact associated with the disposal of e-waste in Benin.

The statement further reveals that West Africa is one of the more highly affected areas in the continent because large quantities of end-of-life materials from around the world ends up dumped in this region.

"Research shows that the world's e-waste level reached 48.9 million tons during 2012 and is expected to increase 33% by 2017. With our company's commitment to being socially responsible, this challenge has caught our attention," said Malik Melamu, MTN Benin chief executive officer.

"We are leveraging on Ericsson's wealth of experience in electronic waste management to not only evacuate the waste but also educate the general public and all key stakeholders about the importance of the proper disposal of the growing electronic waste in the country and the world."

For a month a 20-foot container will be set up as a collection depot in Stade de l'Amitié de Kouhounou, Cotonou, Benin.

The general public is invited to properly dispose of all forms of electronic waste, reads the statement.

Fredrik Jejdling, head of region sub-Saharan Africa at Ericsson said, "We have been partnering with our customers across the region on e-waste take back and this partnership with MTN in Benin extends the scope of this initiative to include creating awareness about e-waste and helping to ensure that end-of-life material is waste-treated in an environmentally responsible manner."