HP opens PC graveyard

By Staff Writer for HP
Johannesburg, 25 Mar 2008

HP has started a pilot project in Cape Town to spearhead its "Green IT" electronic waste disposal strategy in Africa and around the world.

The initiative aims to create new jobs in disadvantaged communities by equipping people with the relevant training and equipment to dismantle electronic waste both safely and responsibly.

"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 HP SA MD Thoko Mokgosi-Mwantembe.

"We see this project as a way to help develop a sustainable infrastructure to safely deal with electronic waste based on local practices that will benefit local communities. Once fully operational, this pilot project will process up to 150 tonnes of equipment per year and create around 20 jobs," she adds.

HP is working with the Global Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF), the Swiss Institute for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), Recover-e-Alliance, Wasteplan as well as the Salesian Institute to assess the recycling of electronics and test methods to improve green processes and equipment.

The Cape-based project is centred on a low-tech, labour-intensive material dismantling and recovery facility. The aim is to maximise the potential for refurbishment, repair and reuse of ICT equipment, with environmentally responsible dismantling and recycling only as a last resort.

The project also seeks to incorporate informal e-waste processing activities that have proved effective in dealing with waste, by transforming them into sustainable and environmentally sound operations.

"We have seen some very inventive and entrepreneurial people making a living out of dismantling old electronic equipment in SA," says Gerry Newson of Recover-e Alliance. "This equipment is refurbished to be used by the community and people are making everything from toys to art out of it. We are looking to develop effective methods of dealing with waste that will allow this sector to flourish in a safe and sustainable manner."

HP SA recently received its ISO 14001 certification, an international standard that provides a framework for organisations to manage, control and demonstrate their environmental conservation practices.

HP, DSF and Empa are also conducting studies in Kenya and Morocco in cooperation with local organisations.