UCT's e-waste project kicks-off

Unseasonable rainfall on 9 April may have soaked many in Cape Town but that didn't dampen the spirits of staff and students who launched the UCT e-Waste Project. The project aims to dispose of the university's redundant electronic equipment (e-waste). At the launch, visitors dropped by to learn more about the project or to be given quick tours of the e-Waste Alliance's re-use and recycling process. The alliance, which aims to minimise waste and maximise resource use and job creation, is made up of independent businesses working in an environmentally responsible and safe manner. It acts as a one-stop recycling-shop, looking first to the re-use of functional equipment. If this is not possible, then attempts are made to optimise recovery of materials for further downstream recycling. The majority of e-waste brought in during the launch took the shape of old computer parts and monitors. Other items included the odd kettle and telephone, including an old wind-up ships telephone. All the e-waste will be removed by Waste Plan, an alliance member. The project will be phased in at UCT over the coming months.

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