E-waste Company Tackling Africa’s Computer Problem

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): In 2002, Tom Musili and his partners established Computer for Schools Kenya, a charitable organisation. Its mission: equipping as many schools as possible with computers.

But the success of the venture resulted in a new problem: as time passed, it became evident that there was a growing issue with the disposal of old computers.

"Due to first-time use inexperience and genuine breakdowns, we were having hundreds of computers lying in schools dead and obsolete," Musili said.

The issue of e-waste is prevalent throughout Kenya and in many other African countries.

Due to a rapidly growing youth population, the region is developing a fast-growing demand for and consumption of electronic devices.

The International Data Corporation's Worldwide Quarterly Smart Home Device Tracker indicates that Kenya's smart home devices market experienced a remarkable year-on-year increase of more than 15 per cent in 2022.

However, this surge in technological advancement comes with a significant downside: the mounting challenge of e-waste.

These circumstances led Musili to start an initiative in 2012 that has now grown into the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Centre (WEEE Centre), a social enterprise dedicated to e-waste management.

Located in Utawala Area, just 6km outside the capital city of Nairobi, the centre stands out for its focused approach to reusing, recycling and safely disposing of electronic waste.

"The centre does safe disposal of electronic wastes, secure data destruction, comprehensive training and awareness, among other relative functions," Musili said.

The facility, built from configured shipping containers, houses offices, workshops and storage spaces, is all geared towards handling the vast quantities of electrical waste that pass through its doors.

With expertise in managing small IT waste, equipment of varying sizes, lamps, screens and other related electronic equipment, the WEEE Centre has become a vital hub for responsible e-waste management in the region.

As Musili explains, the facility takes pride in its well-established systems for transferring e-waste from households to the facility.

Collaborations with private companies Safaricom, Total Energies gas stations and Carrefour stores have enabled the establishment of more than 100 drop-off points across the country.

Furthermore, roaming trucks actively engage with communities, collecting e-waste and spreading awareness.

The centre also actively seeks out schools, corporations and organisations harbouring electronic waste, aiming to alleviate the health hazards and environmental damage caused by improperly handling outdated electronics.

 Courtesy: www.the-star.co.ke