Waste management has challenged human beings more so as from the era of industrialization. There are a variety of waste streams but a more recent class of waste has drawn more attention and critique. The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) has been a challenge all over the global since the advancement of information technology. WEEE is on increase with 1.8 tonnes of WEEE being produced every year in the UK (Solvwaste, 2010). This has led to regulations that have stipulated how WEEE waste is supposed to be managed safely. To this end, organizations that produce WEEE have been mandated by the 2003 Directive (Bengtson et al, 2009) on WEEE management whereas companies such as E-Inclusion Recycling come in to ensure that the waste is recycled and benefits the community.
WEEE waste
WEEE waste is any waste resulting from any electrical or electronic equipment. There is a variety of WEEE waste equipment including all appliances that use electric energy to operate. These include computers, phones, refrigerators, toys, hi-fi systems among other equipment. Electric and electronic waste is classified as the fastest growing waste stream globally. There is a high demand for electric and electronic goods which increases their production thus raising the wastes thereof. In Europe alone, it is estimated that more than 105 million mobile phones are discarded every year having reached their end-of-life. The rise in WEEE waste has also been associated with a technology that is producing equipment that are becoming obsolete faster before they reach their end-of-life use. For instance, it is estimated that there has been a reduction in the lifespan of a new model computer with an average of 2.5 years as from 1992 to 2005. Of major concern about this stream of waste is that not only is it a solid waste management issue but the waste contains hazardous substances resulting from such elements as lead, chromium, cadmium, bromine, as well as mercury among others.
There is a growing concern on how to handle the growing amount of e-waste all over the globe with WEEE waste growing at a rate of 3 to 5 percent every year. It is also approximated that every year, twenty to fifty tonnes of WEEE are produced globally. As stated earlier, managing WEEE ought to look into how the solid waste and other wastes are treated for a safe environment. It is therefore not enough to have landfills of WEEE or even merely incinerating the waste as safe management requires that no risk is posed on health and environment. While considering managing electrical and electronic equipment waste management, it is pertinent to note that some of the components of this waste can end up valuable if they are recycled. Another important aspect to consider is that waste management efforts are supposed to ensure sustainable utilization of resources hence need for proper management tactics.
Electric and electronic waste is not confined to the developed world only. Developing countries are increasingly acquiring the WEEE waste from the developed world which comes in form of dumping. In addition, the developing countries like India have had a high demand for electric and electronic equipment. This is due to a high growth rate in the information technology and electronics sectors. In a city like Mangalore in India, WEEE waste is estimated to reach about 3750 tonnes by the year 2015.
Features of a safe WEEE waste management
A safe WEEE waste management ought to consider two main important factors the environmental impact of the system and the impact on the individuals and the community. To attain the above considerations, it should be easy to clearly define what constitutes electric and electronic equipment. As such, it is possible to decide on whether to re-use the equipment (if it is still functional). Since some of the components of WEEE are hazardous, it is also important to determine whether the waste is hazardous. Cost issues also determine how safe WEEE waste is to be managed in addition to the firms policy. The WEEE Directive issued in 2003 by the EU is a good guide into what a safe WEEE management should entail and it not only affects the producers of electrical and electronic equipment but also those who treat or recycle the products. In this Directive, there are set targets regarding collecting and treating e-waste generated by companies that make and import electric and electronic materials. The recycling information provided by the producers helps recycling companies effectively get rid of the waste without causing environmental or human hazard problems.
Reuse and recycling being among the major focus of managing WEEE waste. Any WEEE waste management firm must comprise these two components. E-Inclusion is a Computer Refurbishment and Recycling Community Interest Company located in Newport, which has been named Britains Greenest City, following a study by the World Wildlife Fund. E-Inclusion provides licensed IT Collection and disposal services to local authorities, government bodies, educational establishments, private companies and the public throughout South Wales (E-Inclusion Recycling C.I.C., 2010). As a Community Interest Company, the E-Inclusion benefits the community in South Wales with no private advantage agenda. The profits generated in E-Inclusion as well as the assets are utilized towards achieving community benefits as required of CICs. The achievements of this company that was established in December 2006 are immense.
E-Inclusion Recycling has adopted the reuse and recycling strategy in managing WEEE waste from the South Wales and thereof holding a great corporate responsibility of helping the less fortunate and disadvantaged in the community to benefit from the recycled products. This is definitely an excellent approach of managing e-waste. There are two strategies applied by E-Inclusion including (1) collecting WEEE waste (computers in specific) from government institutions, schools, homes and private business and refurbishing or recycling them, (2) after recycling, the useful computers are then donated to the community who generate income using these resources. The refurbished computers are also distributed to the less fortunate in the community such as the disabled. In the UK, the 2003 WEEE Directive was implemented through the WEEE Regulations of 2006 which became effective in 2007.
According to the WEEE (Waste Management Licensing) (England and Wales) Regulations 2006, recycling of WEEE entails reprocessing in a production process of the waste materials for the original purpose or for other purposes (OPSI, 2006). Going with this definition, E-Inclusion has gone ahead to comply with these regulations since it ensures that the disposed computers are recycled. E-Inclusion considers itself as a vehicle of Computer Recycling (E-Inclusion Recycling C.I.C., 2010). The WEEE Regulations of 2006 also considers reuse of WEEE waste as any operation by which WEEE or components thereof are used for the same purpose for which they were conceived. As such, E-Inclusion goes ahead to ensure that disposed WEEE waste is made reusable thereby benefiting individuals and the community. E-Inclusion ensures that electric and electronic equipment ceases to be waste by making them fit for direct reuse.
Even as the Company works towards this, it ensures that it operates within the law by upholding to E-Waste Duty of Care. Never is the waste handled by any unauthorised persons such that safety is guaranteed. Furthermore, if the waste is not in a position to be reused, E-Inclusion partners with e-treatment firms such as Sims Metal Plc which is a licensed treatment company. By offering advisory services to the community that uses the electrical and electrical equipment on how to handle WEEE as well as issues regarding waste legislation, E-Inclusion ensures that WEEE regulations are adhered to.
E-Inclusions Impact
The E-Inclusion Recycling as a Community Interest Company (CIC) has adopted an enterprising social business model. The primary objectives of E-inclusion are social with all efforts being geared towards certain social goals. Other than providing collection and disposal services to local authorities, government bodies, educational establishment sand private companies in Wales, the social enterprise function is significant as it carries out digital and social inclusion programmes. Although the digital and social inclusion programmes are geared towards benefiting the whole community with information technology, most efforts help he socially disadvantaged. These include minorities in terms of ethnicity, gender or less advantaged education-wise, the disabled persons as well as persons who have not been reached with digital technology. For instance, E-Inclusion has established links with several social resource centres like the Gwent Association of the Blind where they support the blind in the localities to live independently. In addition, E-Inclusion works hand in hand with SEWREC which is a voluntary organisation that supports the ethnic minorities in Newport.
It is important to note that E-Inclusion does not simply hand out their support to the community but instead they help them by creating opportunities for them by providing technology and expertise. By providing training on social entrepreneurship, individuals are able to transform their own communities. The five particular digital and social inclusion programmes ran by E-Inclusion include (1) E-Inclusion programme, (2) Not-for profit organizations, (3) ICT service exchange programmes, (4) community ICT programme and (4) social entrepreneur programme. These programs are good examples of the social responsibility that E-Inclusion has embraced as one of its key policies. By providing the computers freely to individuals and communities, the disadvantaged individuals and communities get access to digital technology. Training on social entrepreneurship then helps the individuals to go ahead and generate income from such resources thus ensuring self reliability.
The individual is impacted by E-Inclusion mainly through the employability programme and the associate programme. When individuals are provided with free valuable work experience, one to one coaching, specialist skills training among other free services, self esteem is restored and the individuals become more productive. From these examples of endeavours undertaken by E-Inclusion, it is no doubt that the social impact on the Newport community is immense. The establishment of e-community is also a great social effort of expanding the social scope of the South Wales community. E-Inclusions SAGA Zone an online e-community which effectively keeps the community in touch as it expands the network of friends that individuals have. Individuals also have the opportunity to obtain advice on jobs in addition to job training. Financial help is also provided to those who are unable to work. This has been done through the jobcenterplus resource centre. This is a clear adherence to their guiding business principle of using powers of leadership and business as a force for social change.
Also among the guiding principles of E-Inclusion a consideration on the environmental impact they have in all their business practices. As such, E-Inclusion aims at making a positive contribution to the environment. This is done through operating and partnering with business that are committed to reducing environmental pollution, conserving energy as well as reducing waste. As such, E-Inclusion operates under an elaborate environmental policy. Carrying out all its business operations with the least environmental footprint being left is a major endeavour of E-Inclusion. It is pertinent to remember that the Company provides computer recycling services which are among the aim of the WEEE regulations for ensuring that WEEE waste is reduced.
E-Inclusions commitment to environmental sustainability on a global scale is portrayed by its stern stand on the toxic trade. Toxic trade involves dumping hazardous e-waste products to the developing countries disguising that helping these poor economies to utilize the competitive advantage of ICT. This is a prohibited practice in the UK and goes against the global efforts of ensuring sustainable development. E-toxic trade is hazardous to both the environment and human health and it is the effort of E-Inclusion to halt such trade by reporting contraveners of such. E-Inclusion is itself committed to the UK International Trade legislation that prohibits shipping of e-waste to non-OECD countries. The Companys international policy also clearly states that the Company would not trade with persons or organization that trade on e-waste internationally.
The global effort of reducing global warming is also among the main environmental commitments of E-Inclusion. E-Inclusion realizes the potential devastating consequences of global warming that comes through release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. As such, all its business activities are aimed at reducing emission of carbon dioxide thus ensuring a sustainable planet. This is in line with the Companys guiding principle of operating a triple line of policy of People, Planet and Profitability.
The activities and the impact of E-Inclusion in South Wales can be summed into three main achievements (1) it has ensured that waste resulting from information technology (WEEE) is diverted, (2) it has made e-waste reusable by recyclable thus creating income streams and (3) it has successfully implemented digital and social inclusion.
Conclusion
The rise in waste resulting from electrical and electronic equipment is a serious environmental challenge in the globe and the UK in particular. However, the efforts of recycling companies such as the E-Inclusion Recycling are commendable in ensuring a sustainable environment. E-Inclusion Recycling as a Community Interest Company has been a successful social enterprise that has impacted individuals, communities and the environment in South Wales. By targeting the less disadvantaged in the community, the Company has turned e-waste into an environmental friendly business with impressing social benefits. One can only speculate greater achievements more so if the Company were to consider recycling other types of e-waste in addition to computers.
Recommendations
Even with such successful achievements as a CIC, there still remain a few opportunities that E-Inclusion can consider and end up succeeding more as a CIC.
For instance, the Company should consider recycling other WEEE waste other than computers. Choosing a different product line in the management of WEEE would expand their income and eventually impact the community in a greater way. After all, the company is well established and a success in at least managing computer waste. The South Wales community would gain for instance if the company pursued recycling mobile phones which are also a great e-waste from households.
The company should also consider encouraging the retake of the recycled computers by the organizations from which they collect them from thus reducing the need for fresh procurement which would eventually reduce production of WEEE waste.
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