"Energy and environment are essential for sustainable development. The poor are disproportionately affected by environmental degradation and lack of access to clean, affordable energy services. These issues are also global as climate change, loss of biodiversity and ozone layer depletion cannot be addressed by countries acting alone."
—UNDP Development Program
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Environmental Concerns
We send only quality hardware to beneficiaries, help them set up the lab, and provide comprehensive on-site ICT training to ensure the equipment functions for the longest possible time with the greatest positive impact.
In Fall, 2009, CFA Uganda staff joined with other NGOs involved in ICT to write a position paper (PDF 177KB) on the subject of E-waste in Uganda, expressing their desire for the Uganda government to safeguard both the environment and ongoing ICT development with a long-term strategy. A government proposed total ban on all used computers was delayed until March, 2010, when it will be considered.
In May, 2008 the UN International Development Organization, Microsoft, and EMPA issued a 35-page report, "e-Waste Assessment in Uganda" (PDF 1M) which said:
- About 80,000 end of life computers are stockpiled in Uganda. (enough for Microsoft and UNIDO to start a recycling initiative in Uganda.)
- Used computers generally have a life span of about 5 years. Components are continually swapped out to keep them going.
- In 2007, 53,000 computers reached end of life in Uganda. Only about 1 in 12 entered the waste stream. All but about 2,000 were stored away (street value is $20 each). They were not dumped.
- There are no safety precautions in places where informal recycling of computers is taking place - often near slums.
Processing E-Waste
Computers for Schools-Uganda (CFS-U) launched an e-waste management program in Kampala, Uganda in November, 2009, becoming the second facility of its kind in the country. The nonprofit is collecting dead computers, recycling their plastic and metal casings locally. The remaining components are shipped to their sister organization, Computers for Schools-Kenya (CFS-K) which is better equipped to further process components. What CFS-K is unable to process is shipped to Norway for recycling. The International Institute for Communications and Development (IICD) has pledged to help with shipping costs to transport the hardware to Kenya and further to Norway if necessary.