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How is it possible to tackle the growing problem of e-waste in Africa and, at the same time, contribute to economic development through creating new job opportunities?
For the past two years, HP has been conducting a pilot project to see how the problem of e-waste in Africa can be most effectively tackled - and to see how to put the increase in redundant IT equipment to good use. Working in conjunction with the Global Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF) and the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (Empa), HP has unveiled details of the latest phase of the pilot project, with some encouraging results.
Rising levels of e-waste
The project, which was carried out in South Africa, Morocco and Kenya, allowed HP to gather vital information on how African governments and organisations are dealing with the rising problem of e-waste management. The results showed that levels of e-waste are rising substantially in Africa and, when it comes to actually handling e-waste in a safe and secure way, some countries have a significant lack of knowledge and legislative framework.
Using the information gathered, HP was able to test out possible solutions for a way forward, both for handling e-waste and for providing employment opportunities for local communities at the same time.
Sustainable and imaginative employment
The pilot undertaken in Cape Town, South Africa processed approximately 60 tonnes of redundant electronic equipment from February to November 2008. This generated an income of around $14,000 and created sustainable and direct employment for 19 people. The study undertaken in Kenya found that, although the country is currently producing 3,000 of tonnes of e-waste a year, with its current lack of legislative framework, this figure could increase by 200% a year to 9,000 tonnes a year. Using the same pilot as that implemented for Cape Town could create significant employment for the country.
“HP has a responsibility that starts with the design of a product and goes right through to its disposal and we take that responsibility very seriously,” says Klaus Hieronymi, Director, Environmental Business Management, HP EMEA. “These projects provide employment opportunities for local communities and act as a step towards a sustainable solution for tackling electronic waste in Africa.”
HP’s pilot project also demonstrated how innovation can help to pioneer another, more imaginative way forward for handling e-waste in Africa. By dismantling hard drives and training people to monitor, test and refurbish IT equipment, much of the e-waste was turned into aesthetically-pleasing items such as wall art, jewellery and clocks. This imaginative approach has enabled HP to empower people with the skills to put entrepreneurship into practice.
Next phase
The pilot project has only just completed phase one. HP now plans to start phase two. In phase two, HP wants to engage corporate and government partners to extend the e-waste management pilots to other cities of South Africa and other African countries. By sharing knowledge and seeking solutions with different organisations throughout the continent, HP can demonstrate its commitment to both effective e-waste management and to promoting entrepreneurship in local communities.
About the Global Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF)
The Global Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF) is the only international organisation entirely dedicated to reducing the digital divide. Its objective is to equip the developing world with the means to access the knowledge society. Through access to ICT and valuable content, the DSF works at community level to promote the development of marginalised populations. The DSF collaborates with local and national authorities, the private sector, international organisations and NGOs, as well as civil society. More information on the DSF is available at www.dsf-fsn.org/.
About Empa
Empa is a multidisciplinary research institute for material science and technology within the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) domain. Empa is specialised in application-oriented research and development, as well as in services to help solving demanding problems in the fields of sustainable materials science and technology development. Empa’s Technology and Society Lab analyses the impacts of technological developments on society and the environment and hosts among other activities the technical monitoring team for the Swiss e-waste management system. Empa is leading the Swiss Global e-waste Programme, which aims at building capacities for e-waste management in developing economies (www.ewasteguide.info). More information on Empa is available at www.empa.ch. |
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