UCT launches e-Waste recycling campaign

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12 May 2010 News

The University of Cape Town recently launched a project to responsibly dispose of e-Waste – redundant electronic equipment that is often made up of hazardous materials that require special disposal techniques.

“Environmental responsibility is one of the attributes UCT hopes to instill in our graduates,” said Dr Max Price, the vice chancellor of UCT. “Along with the many social responsiveness programmes UCT staff and students are involved in, developing a green lifestyle is one way UCT has chosen to help preserve the beauty of Cape Town and use our scarce resources more wisely. This is not just a fad on campus; it is a strategic value UCT is committed to building into the university experience.”

The UCT e-Waste project is a collaboration between the Properties & Services Department and Information Communication Technology Services as part of the university’s first annual recycling week. As well as providing a safe means of disposal for hazardous materials, it aims to free up much-needed space, reduce the environmental impact of disposal, and reduce the use of raw materials by encouraging recycling and reuse.

Brett Roden, the environmental risk officer at the university, said UCT is a member of the e-Waste Association of South Africa (e-WASA). For this project it joined forces with another e-WASA member, E-Waste Alliance, a Cape Town-based non-profit organisation comprised of industry partners that strive for job creation and environmental integrity.

Roden said the aim is to identify an e-Waste champion in each building or department on campus. Each champion will organise the collection and short-term storage of all e-Waste in their jurisdiction, and will liaise with Roden to organise its removal.

For more information contact Brett Roden, UCT, +27 (0)21 650 3487, [email protected], www.uct.ac.za

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UCT launches e-Waste recycling campaign

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