Campaigning for e-waste solutions
During 2008/9 Computer Aid continued to campaign on the issue of e-waste. Our petition on the Downing Street website calling for tighter policing of WEEE leaving the UK, attracted over 700 signatures, and we look forward to receiving a response from government in early 2010. More effective controls on e-waste leaving the UK are vital if we are to prevent dumping of the UK’s e-waste in Africa and Asia.
East Africa’s first e-waste recycling plant, established by our partners Computers for Schools Kenya (CFSK) and supported by Computer Aid International, continues to offer sustainable solutions once true end-of-life is reached. Here computers are stripped down to their component parts, which are either reclaimed for reuse in CFSK’s workshop or recycled. Reusing equipment is prioritised, for example decommissioned monitors are converted into quality affordable television sets. Stephen Kahara, Projects Manager at CFSK, anticipates that the centre will have handled 5.8million tonnes of e-waste by the end of 2009. Computer Aid’s Zambian partner Linknet Zambia has also begun work developing a recycling centre built on a similar model.
Reusing a computer is both socially and environmentally responsible. Most UK businesses upgrade PCs every 3 years. By refurbishing redundant equipment Computer Aid can extend its life for another 3-4 years. This is enough time to train 60 children to a vocational level of IT literacy.
It is also better for the environment. As much as 80% of the energy used across a PC's working life is expended during its manufacture, before it is even switched on for the first time. By donating to Computer Aid, IT departments can ensure the greenest outcome for their unwanted PCs and laptops.
Tom Musili, Executive Director of CFSK at East Africa’s first e-waste recycling centre
