Tony Roberts from Computer Aid International discussed the organization's work with electronic waste (e-waste) and the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE). Computer Aid promotes responsible e-waste reuse and recycling over dumping. They have distributed over 160,000 computers to developing countries. Mr. Roberts advocates for enforcing definitions of waste and refurbished electronics, setting reuse targets, prosecuting illegal e-waste exporters, and extending producer responsibility internationally to reduce global e-waste.

1. WEEE Roundtable 3 rd Dec 2009 Tony Roberts Founder & Chief Exec Computer Aid International

2. Background on Computer Aid 100% non-profit re-use (no re-sale) Redistribution of technological wealth to DCs 100s of development applications 160,000+ PCs to 110 different countries Over 5 million kilos of EEE responsibly reused / recycled

4. What WEEE Done 1 st public briefing on WEEE at House of Lords in 2004 Published two WEEE Guides for Business in 2004 & 2007 Worked with FRN since 2005, submissions to consultations Lobbied effectively for the prioritisation of re-use over recycling 1 st non-profit - EA licensed AATF – June 2007 Lobbied for the Environment Agency to be afforded the resources it needed to pursue the eWaste Cowboys

5. WEEE experience Greater CIO awareness of environment issues WEEE Directive did not lead to the expected large increase in donation of IT for re-use Partnered with PCSs - still waiting for PCs! Most significant growth area was scam ‘re-use’ & associated dumping Prospect of prosecution remote No reliable data on toxic trade volumes

6. Guiyu, China

7. Shared Aims Zero export of untreated WEEE Divert all EEE & WEEE into EA licensed & inspected responsible re-use & environment recycling orgs Promote responsible re-use clear environmental & developmental benefits Prosecute the eWaste cowboys Computer Aid opposes lobby for sending EEE-WEEE for refurbishing overseas

8. Objectives Enforceable definitions of ‘waste’ & ‘refurbished’ British Standard for refurbishing Move from ‘prioritising re-use’ to increased re-use by setting targets & publishing results Secure additional resources for Environment Agency to end sham re-use

9. WEEE-type legislation Extend WEEE-type legislation to EVERY country Zero import/export of WEEE Zero dumping of WEEE domestically Promote EEE re-use Compel WEEE recycling domestically Build local re-use & recycling capacity Extend Producer Pays Principal Internationally

10. Thank You [email_address] twitter.com/phat_controller Flickr.com/phat_controller www.computeraid.org Twitter: Computer_Aid