Old university computers found dumped in Ghana

By Luke Jacobs

May 21, 2010

DISCARDED IT equipment originally used at the University of Surrey has been found dumped in Ghana despite being earmarked for recycling in the UK.

The institution said it was concerned to discover that some of its surplus IT equipment has turned up as waste in an area frequented by young children.

The university has an agreement with Sims Recycling Solutions to handle, recycle or destroy its unwanted hardware systems.

However, piles of old computers and metal previously used on campus, and meant for treatment in the UK, were instead found in Ghana, according to the findings of a BBC documentary team.

The programme, Blood Sweat and Luxuries, showed young boys rummaging among the computers looking for scrap metal to sell on.

The youngsters were also filmed trying to set the equipment alight, which can potentially lead to toxic fumes being released into the atmosphere.

A University of Surrey spokesman said it had total confidence in Sims Recycling Solutions and applied rigorous procedures to its own waste disposal.

“We are concerned to discover that, despite carefully managed waste disposal policy and procedures, some surplus IT equipment has been discovered as waste in Ghana,” he said.

“While the BBC’s footage did not provide enough information to allow Sims to trace it, it is likely that the equipment in question was legitimately exported to Africa for re-use.

“Until relatively recently, the re-use before recycling of surplus equipment was encouraged by the Kyoto Protocol.

“It is likely therefore that our equipment was donated to a third party prior to new policy and procedures instigated by the university in 2004, and from there found its way to Ghana.”

A spokesman for Sims said it adopted a policy of not selling certain hardware products if they did not have an acceptable ongoing lifecycle.

He said any equipment intended for resale was put through a strict testing procedure to ensure it was in a suitable condition.

“Under our agreement with the University of Surrey all waste products received as part of that agreement are fully recycled and processed within the UK and are not sold on or disposed of in any other matter,” he said.

“Our procedures stipulate that we do not sell equipment that is not working or that has been deemed only suitable for recycling by our clients.

“As the situation currently stands, no-one can be held responsible for the chain of custody after responsible action had been taken.

“This is an international issue which requires action on the part of the governments of those developing countries involved to tackle the problem.”