Brian Cardona, founder of Electro Waste Malta Ltd.
For many, the rows of discarded copper cables which recently lay idle at GO’s Head Offices in Żejtun were just waste. But for Brian Cardona, founder of Electro Waste Malta Ltd, these cables provided the chance to turn yesterday’s technology into tomorrow’s resources.
Recycling has been a lifelong obsession for Cardona.
“I’ve always been captivated by the idea that nothing has to be wasted. Even discarded electronics have value, whether as reusable metals, components, or the energy saved by recycling instead of mining anew,” he said.
That curiosity evolved into a career, and eventually into Electro Waste Malta Ltd, now one of the island’s leading e-waste management and recycling companies.
The company’s latest project reflects its expertise and its environmental impact: handling all of GO’s 40 tonnes of copper following the decommissioning of its older network.
GO’s €100 million investment in full-fibre broadband has transformed connectivity across Malta, making faster, more reliable internet available to homes and businesses. But all that progress came with thousands of kilometres of retired copper cable, and this was where Brian and his team stepped in.
“This project is a perfect example of what we stand for,” Cardona explained. “It’s not just about the disposing of copper but about closing the loop in technology, showing that sustainability and innovation can advance hand in hand. Every wire we process, every component we recover, is a step towards a more circular economy.”
Under Cardona’s leadership, Electro Waste Malta manages the collection, sorting and safe processing of retired copper, ensuring hazardous materials are handled responsibly and valuable metals are recovered for reuse. From household electronics to large-scale industrial projects, the company has built a reputation as the go-to partner for responsible e-waste management in Malta.
Cardona said that once the copper reaches Poland, it will be recycled and repurposed into new copper cables.
“Real change begins with individual conviction”
“Every project is personal,” he said. “It allows me to prove that recycling is not just a personal duty but also an opportunity to make a real difference.”
“In this sector, the real revolution is not just in adopting future technology but also in how responsibly we handle the past.”
Within this spirit, Electro Waste Malta has now teamed up with WorkingTown, and will be hosting the first edition of HEKATECH on May 12, a landmark conference that will bring together influential business and community leaders to drive meaningful change in sustainable waste management, particularly within the medical sector, while also discussing equal access to innovative medicine.
“Electro Waste Malta’s experience has shown us that real change begins with individual conviction and that purpose and enterprise can truly coexist. With HEKATECH, we hope to inspire others to see waste not as an end, but as a means to inspire meaningful change,” Cardona concluded.
