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You are here: CIWM  >  Publications  >  Latest News  >  Illegal WEEE Trade Has Devastating Impact On UKs E-Waste Communities, Says Computer Aid

Illegal WEEE Trade Has Devastating Impact On UKs E-Waste Communities, Says Computer Aid

18 May 2011

EIA Report highlights the problem of the illegal trade in e-waste and cites Computer Aid as an example of "the right way to do business"

The Environmental Investigation Agency's (EIA) report entitled "System failure: The UKs harmful Trade in E-waste" highlights the ongoing problem of the UK's illegal trade in electronic waste

Anja French, director of marketing and communications at Computer Aid International comments:

"Both the EIA's report and Panorama programme released evidenced the devastating impact of UK generated e-waste on communities in developing countries. This is an issue, which Computer Aid has campaigned about for many years and we are pleased that further awareness of the issue has been raised. We hope that companies will be reassessing the way in which they dispose of their IT equipment as a result of the report and TV programme."

Computer Aid recommends that any organisation wishing to dispose of unwanted IT equipment to ensure that they ask seven key questions before selecting a waste disposal or recycling partner. For more information on this CLICK HERE

Computer Aid is cited in the EIA report as an example of "the right way to do business." The report describes us as a "wholly legitimate" organisation, which ensures the "compliant exports of secondhand electronics". Donating PCs to Computer Aid helps reduce the problem of e-waste as well as tackle the causes of poverty in developing countries through the provision of practical ICT solutions.

Computer Disposal

"Unwanted computers are an integral part of the UKs e-waste problem however the majority of PCs sent for recycling have at least three to four years' further life in them," added French. "Many thousands of computers are scrapped and sent to developing countries as e-waste causing significant health and environmental problems for local populations. At the same time there is an urgent need for working computers and laptops in hospitals, charities and schools in developing countries and sending tested and refurbished computers to countries such as Ethiopia or Zambia can significantly reduce poverty.

"Computer Aid can collect, data wipe and refurbish unwanted IT equipment before sending it to not- for-profit organisations in developing countries. In this way, unwanted IT is diverted from landfill and its life extended by at least a further 3-4 years to be used by schools, hospitals and charities to improve the health, education and quality of life of rural and poor communities across Africa and Latin America.

"Computer Aid uses SWEEEP, the recycling company highlighted by Panaroma as an example of good practice, to recycle any equipment donated to us that doesn't meet our minimum specifications or is faulty. SWEEEP guarantee that 0% of the equipment ends up in landfill.

For more information visit http://www.computeraid.org/donate.asp?section=6

Darrel Moore