We were shown that article by Dr Ndemo when we met him yesterday in his office. Just that we never had adequate time to read it through. I just wonder who did that research and how scientific it is. One thing we were all in agreement with is that we will need to devise ways of dealing with e-waste, whether its fromused computers or new ones. There are various NGOs that already have e-waste management facilities, such as Computers for Schools Kenya. This is way ahead of the Government which does not have any plans to deal with e-waste. This organization is actually helping the Government to deal with its own e-waste and thereby assisting them to avoid dumping. At the same time, there is agreement that we must separate computers from the rest of electronic items being imported like fridges, microwaves, radios etc. The figures in that report are outrageous and misleading. Whereas you can cannibalize one computer and use the parts to fix 9 others, I wonder how that can be achieved in something like a malfunctioning cd player or fridge. To say that those pushing to stop the ban have vested interests is to miss the point. The same can be said for those pushing for the ban. If the used computers are banned and we have to sell new ones, we will still be in business assembling clones. The end user who cant afford the higher cost of new computers is the one to suffer, and the economy by extension. If there is a way to bring down the cost of a new computer to under 10,000/=, then we will have nothing to complain about and obviously there will not be any economic value in importing used computers. Nice weekend everyone. Ikua Quoting Harry Delano <harry@comtelsys.co.ke>:
Victor,
Fully agree. This is the way to go... Hadn't considered the "cannibalization" part...
It really defeats the purpose.. Let's fast track efforts to curtail E-Dumping..
I suppose, this should cut across all other sectors in the electronic industry..
Regards, Harry
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From: kictanet-bounces+harry=comtelsys.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+harry=comtelsys.co.ke@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Victor Maloi Sent: Saturday, March 20, 2010 1:27 PM To: harry@comtelsys.co.ke Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: [kictanet] Used Computers
Listers, I hope everybody read the Thursday Star article on e-waste. The article quoted a study conducted locally and found out that we import thousands of tons in e-waste from developed countries. Environmental agencies are concerned. For every one used computer that ends up being used, there are ten to be juncked or to be used for canibalizing. Do we really need this in the country? In my view we should support the Government's proposal to ban the imports. My brief research shows those supporting this effort are themselves in the used electronics industry. In all honest the benefits do not justify our continued use of other people's waste. PS Ndemo said we can lower the cost of new computers to equal that of the used computer. Why can we not pursue this?
Victor.