Last updated April 12, 2019
Kenya’s Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment Centre has teamed up with Computer Aid International, a charity based in the United Kingdom, in order to give electronic waste management training to try and raise awareness as to the proper way to dispose of electronic items such as old cell phones, computers and televisions.
Gladys Muhunyo, Computer Aid’s Director of Africa Programs, says that they are just one of a network of partners operating in more than 20 countries in Africa, but this will be the first centre based in Kenya where people can receive training on how to dispose of old electronic equipment in a professional manner. “This particular initiative is advocating for people to be aware that when your equipment reaches the end of its shelf life, you should take it somewhere where it can be recycled, reused or refurbished,” Muhunyo comments.
The first training session will see WEEE and Computer Aid conduct practical skill training in the management of electronic waste, as well as promoting recycling, reducing, refurbishing and reusing programs for the handling of electronics all across the region. “Let’s get people trained,” Muhunyo appeals. “Educational institutions are increasingly building programs to train people how to handle e-waste, but they haven’t had a practical centre until now.”
Computer Aid has produced an Advocacy Guide in order to complement the WEE Centre, which explains the scope of WEEE as well how people can comply with it to the best of their abilities.