Management
Technology
- Applications
- Business Intelligence
- Development
- Hardware
- Mobile & Wireless
- Networking
- Internet
- Operating Systems
- Security Products
- Servers & Datacentre
- Storage
Toolbox
Training
Books
White Papers
Webcast
Resource Centre
July 01, 2009
Computer Aid International defends export of old PCs to poorer countries.
Gartner comments 'obscure the real problem'
By Carrie-Ann Skinner
Computer Aid International has questionedGartner's claims that re-using secondary PCs is not environmentally friendly.
According to the analyst firm, developing countries are becoming a dumping ground for e-waste as western countries refurbish and export secondary PCs to emerging markets rather than disposing of them. Gartner described the act as "passing the toxic buck".
However, according to Computer Aid International, re-use has been proven to be 20 times better for the environment than recycling.
"Halting the transfer of technology from privileged countries to less privileged countries is not the right thing to do. Building capacity for responsible re-use and environmental recycling is the right thing to do," said Tony Roberts, founder and CEO of Computer Aid International.
"In fact, the issue of refurbished PCs polluting the developing world is a red herring. There are more than 10 billion items of electrical and electronic equipment in use globally today. Every item will need recycling and next to zero capacity exists in sub-Saharan Africa today. If there was not a single second-hand PC in existence then the task of building end-of-life recycling capacity for e-waste would be no less urgent than it is today."
Roberts said that while the charity "supports Gartner in highlighting the very real dangers of e-waste", he was concerned that by focussing purely on PCs Gartner was obscuring the real problem and the real villains.
"It is essential that end-of-life recycling capacity is put into place in all countries. We need to turn the spotlight onto international governments to take legislative action and onto OEMs to finance this work," added Roberts.
Follow highlights from ComputerworldUK on Twitter
Sign up for our Daily Newsletter
The UK IT News widget Get it for your site!
« prev article | more best practice news | next article »
Advert
Email this article to a friend or colleague:
PLEASE NOTE: Your name is used only to let the recipient know who sent the story, and in case of transmission error. Both your name and the recipient's name and address will not be used for any other purpose.
- This article is now being printed.
What are your views on this subject? Use the form below to post a comment on this article up to 1000 characters.
Click below to add 'Computer Aid International defends export of old PCs to poorer countries. - Best practice - ComputerworldUK' to your blog.
If you do not have a ComputerworldUK Account and would like to use this feature, please Register.
If you are a registered, logged-in user, this will post the title and first paragraph of this story to your blog to share with your readers.
Advert
Newsletters
We’ll keep you up-to-date on the latest Green strategies, developments and solutions.
WHITE PAPERS
-
Legal risks: Employee use of the internet and email
Exploring the challenges facing IT Mangers today and vital steps to ensure safe internet an email use by employees. -
Phishing for victims
This White Paper examines the phenomenon of phishing. It explains the potentially catastrophic threat it presents to all kinds of organisation. Exploding some widespread myths, it lights up the murky waters where phishing first emerged and where it continues to evolve. But it also highlights what your business can do to blunt the threat.
