Of computers and toxic waste

By Masibo Lumala

The importance of computers cannot be gainsaid. For many of us today, a day cannot pass without one using a computer — whether at home, at the workplace, or cyber cafe.

But have you ever wondered what you would do with your old computer or laptop when you no longer need it or after you acquire a new one? What would you do with, for instance, your computer monitor were it to fall and break suddenly rendering it dysfunctional?

Four years ago, I was pleased when I received an email from a friend in New York informing me that she had dispatched three second-hand computers for my home use. This was godsend, or so I thought. At the time, I really needed a computer, any computer, to complete my research work. My excitement was however short-lived when the consignment finally arrived. Apart from the high customs duty and demurrage charges levied by the Postal Corporation of Kenya, the accompanying cables were not compatible with our Kenyan electrical fittings. So I had to part with some more money to buy the necessary gadgets.

The initial hurdles over, I soon discovered that my good friend had only helped to reduce the US landfills. The computers were running Windows 95 (never mind this was 2005) and each of them had a two-GB hard disk. I could not install any new programme, let alone run internet on them using modem. And so today, I have three ‘computers’ in my house which I could gladly get rid off. But where and how? I certainly cannot ship them back to the US.

Just like me, many people and institutions will only be too happy to receive computer donations from "well-wishers" abroad. Yet in no time such computers break down and need to be disposed of. This is where the problem begins. Should obsolete computers be dumped in the compost heap?

Given that a computer has several sources of hazardous waste — the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitor, batteries, ink cartridges — it is imperative that appropriate computer disposal policies and procedures are put in place to save our environment.

We need to ensure as a country that harmful chemicals contained in electronics are not released into the environment.

Every colour monitor, for instance, contains two to three kilos of lead, a poisonous material that is dangerous unless disposed of properly. If monitors are disposed of alongside other biodegradable household waste, lead leaks into the soil, and eventually finds its way into water and soil systems. If it finds its way into the human system, it causes all manner of ailments that may result in death.

Computers also contain other hazardous materials such as mercury, cadmium (a known carcinogen), and hexavalent chromium (known to cause high blood pressure, iron-poor blood, liver disease, and nerve and brain damage in humans and animals).

Used computer batteries are dangerous if not disposed of with care. Ink cartridges and toners contain chemicals that could kill if ingested, and are deadly pollutants for plant and animal life.

Strict guidelines

As the Government toils to ensure that the e-Government project succeeds, and that all schools have computers, it should simultaneously develop strict guidelines governing the disposal of toxic wastes.

There is need to educate the public on Electronics Waste (e-waste) Management and to carry out advocacy campaigns to promote proper disposal of electronic gadgets. Alternatively, individuals and organisations should be encouraged to employ the time-tested 3R (recycle, reuse and reduce) approach.

Computer recycling is popular in the West where new technologies have been developed and proper disposal mandated.

There are plenty of benefits in computer recycling. Recycling reduces the amount of garbage burned, which then reduces the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. Goods made from recycled computer parts are equally cheaper due to the low production costs.

On the other hand, much as computers are becoming cheaper, we must only buy computers which we need. Our universities should not be left out in this critical issue. Research should be undertaken to establish how we can locally use computer waste products.

Most computer manufacturers have programmes that involve trading in old computers for new ones. The trade-in concept is yet to take root in Kenya because we have no local manufacturing plants. This is a challenge to Moi and Jomo Kenyatta universities which have well-established computer engineering and IT departments.

The writer teaches Communications Research at Moi University.