eWaste Initiative

WCE eWaste Initiative

Reusing a computer provides 25 times the energy savings of recyling and manufacturing a new computer set. See this COMPARISON PDF.

Phase 1 eWaste Work in Latin America:  In 2006, WCE wrote a successful $200,000 proposal to IDRC for Quipus Cultural Foundation to develop and disseminate materials to raise awareness about toxins in computers for the public in Latin America and the Caribbean. WCE provided Quipus with some early content and consulting help in developing the materials and WCE developed their dissemination plan.  You can visit the resulting website at:  http://www.reciclemos.net   Click here to read the successful PROPOSAL that WCE wrote for this project.

Phase 2 eWaste Work in Latin America:  Some of our eWaste Researchers are currently inventorying recyclers currently in operation in Latin America and the Caribbean.  Please let us know if you wish to help or if you know of any.  We are also looking for funding to do a much more widespread public awareness raising media campaign about recycling.

Phase 1 & 2 in another region:  WCE offers our global grassroots network to offer consulting help to countries, entrepreneurs, and donors seeking to establish responsible computer recycling operations in developing countries.  We are now seeking our next region in which to begin working.

Support to eCorps Teams:  Each WCE eCorps team of tech volunteers includes someone charged with doing field work to help the WCE Partners that they are helping to develop a responsible plan for recycling computers we send - once the computers are dead. 

Support of Programme Officers:  WCE is developing training and marketing materials about the responsible recyling of dead computers for use by WCE' 190 Programme Officers and by our 90 eCorps volunteers

Carbon Footprint:  WCE is experimenting with improving how computer reuse groups present the environmental case for reuse.  WCE is working with groups in Nepal, Ghana, and Nicaragua to develop sustainable computer labs that depend on renewable energy. 

Cell Phones:  WCE is exploring having our chapters become involved in collecting cell phones for sale to recyclers.

eWaste Consortium:  WCE works in a consortium of 18 global organisations in raising public awareness about responsible disposal of computer waste and assisting pilots of computer recycling centres in select developing countries.

eWaste Volunteer Researchers:  Over the past several years, we have been gradually building capacity to make a difference regarding the appropriate disposal of computer equipment - once it is no longer reusable.   You can see eWaste research papers by our 19 volunteer researchers at the "Environmental Docs"  link in the box on the left.  They are in both Spanish and English.  The work of our volunteer researchers is guided by the 18 experts of the WCE eWaste Consortium in researching toxins computers and their appropriate disposal.

eWaste Intern:  WCE welcomes Denboy Kudejira as our eWaste Intern June-September 2008.  Denboy is from Zimbabwe and is a graduate student at Brandeis University.  Click here to see his RESUME.   You can reach him at eWaste@WorldComputerExchange.org