Zixtel donates to IT Schools Africa
E-waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world.
What is E-waste?
E-waste or electronic waste is created when an electronic product is discarded after what is perceived to be the end of its useful life. The world produces as much as 50 million tonnes of electronic and electrical waste (e-waste) a year, weighing more than all of the commercial aeroplanes ever made.
A small percentage of this waste ever makes it for reuse or recycling. Of the 53.6 million tonnes produced in 2019, only around 17% was recycled meaning upwards of 80% of e-waste was discarded in landfills or incinerated.
Reducing waste
Much of this e-waste could have easily been repurposed, reused, refurbished, or recycled. As an WEEE recycling facility we see first-hand the scale of the e-waste issue. As an ethically minded, environmentally friendly business we are continuously researching new ways to reintroduce the waste we receive at our facility back into the economy.
As part of our research, we discovered IT Schools Africa and the fantastic work they do to transform life opportunities for students and communities in Africa and the UK.
Making a difference
Reading all about the difference ITSA make to children and adults we knew instantly we wanted to help, so we put together a donation of equipment and shipped it off to their headquarters in Cheltenham.
We often receive large quantities of keyboards destined for processing in our recycling plant many of which have very little resale value, but masses of life left in them. We now know these keyboards will play a small part in providing essential IT skills for those who need them.
Technology for education and participation is now more important than ever so we will be working hard to provide regular shipments of various IT equipment where we can.
How can you help?
If you would like to get involved you can find out more about equipment donations here or you can contribute to the cause online here.
Who are IT schools Africa?
In the UK, the ITSA programme supports the local community – working with prisons, the unemployed and schools – to refurbish computers, clean them of data and prepare them for shipping.
In Africa, the programme delivers IT teaching training and technical support to all recipient schools and deals with the final disposal of computers in an environmentally friendly way.
