The WEEE Center

As part of Computer Aid International’s ongoing work into preventing the environmental impact of end-of-life ICT equipment in Africa, Tuesday 28th of February 2012 marks the launch of a strategic partnership between itself and The WEEE Centre in Nairobi.

The WEEE Centre is an operation managed by Computer for Schools Kenya that provides e-waste management for Kenya and East Africa, it's opening in 2011 was a landmark in the development of environmentally sound e-waste management in Africa.  

The partnership between The WEEE Centre and Computer Aid International will build on an existing foundation of cooperation and seek to expand similar facilities and the application of best practice techniques throughout Africa.

Through Computer Aid’s regional office in Nairobi, the partnership with The WEEE Centre will endeavour to provide training and advocacy tools to develop the capacity to safely manage end-of-use ICT equipment across Africa. 

Having supplied almost 200,000 PCs worldwide, Computer Aid International strongly believes in the value of high-quality reused equipment for development projects.  The organisation is, however, constantly aware of the potential environmental impact of inappropriately managed e-waste. 

 

In addition to the partnership, training, and advocacy taking place through its regional office, Computer Aid…

  • Ensures that the refurbished equipment that it supplies has the usability of five years,
  • Provides campaign and advocacy materials supporting the development of the Extended Producer Responsibility policy,
  • Is developing country-specific e-waste fact sheets for all PC recipients.

The partnership will be celebrated at a launch event and a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed between the two organisations.  The guest of honor will be Ali D. Mohamed, Kenya’s Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, reflecting governmental support for the development of safe e-waste management; the likes of which Computer Aid would like to see growth throughout the developing world.