Microsoft joins UN to curb e-waste

Microsoft has teamed up with UN to curb electronic waste which poses serious risks to human health and the environment.

The aim is to create awareness on the dangers associated with electronic waste— e-waste— in Africa and educate the public on disposal methods.

“We are in the process of launching an e-waste programme, that will involve dismantling computer parts or other related products and shipping them back to companies that are specialised in safely disposing them,” said Kandeh Yumkella, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (Unido) director general.

The project will be launched in Kenya by the end of the year.

Environmentalists have raised concerns on the harm caused by e-waste with the increased use of ICT tools such as mobile phones, computers scanners and other electronic equipment such as refrigerators and microwaves.

Every year, 20 to 50 million tonnes of e-waste are generated worldwide, with developing countries now taking up a huge chunk of the waste as developed countries dump cheaper obsolete technologies to poor nations.

The rapid changing trends in ICT has also contributed to increase in e-waste as replacement process becomes faster. Most of the replaced gadgets are poorly disposed leading to environmental degradation and also posing risks to people.

E-waste contains more than 1,000 different substances, many of which are toxic, such as lead, mercury, arsenic, and flame retardants that create dioxins emissions when burned.

The partnership follows similar initiatives by other organisations such as the Computer for Schools Kenya and Nokia.

Computer for Schools Kenya handles the computer-related e-waste while Nokia launched a take back programme for the mobile phones. For entrepreneurs, e-waste presents an opportunity for those seeking to take recycling businesses.

In developed countries, it is a multi-billion dollar business industry as companies seek ways to cut back on pollutants.

Unido, in partnership with Microsoft, is in the process of tapping into e-waste recycling, utilising a sustainable business model, as well as a framework to address related policy issues.

Microsoft chairman for Africa, Cheick Modibo Diarra said there is need to create an Escrow account by those bringing in both new and used computers in the country or related ICT tools so as to cater for the cost of fighting e-waste.

“A lot of people get emotional when they talk about refurbished computers, but people should know even branded computers shipped into a country have a life span and eventually forms part of the e-waste.”

Quality hardware
The company is undertaking a pilot programme for establishment of a refurbished computer centre of excellence in Kampala, Uganda. The programme is set to provide affordable, quality hardware to local small and medium-sized enterprises.