E-WASTE ASSESSMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA - e-Waste. This guide

computers are already refurbished, others are processed in South Africa. In the latter case, obsolete orreplaced parts are sold for scrap to Desco Electronic Recyclers.Device SA are also involved in the Digital Partnership, a UK initiative which donates refurbishedcomputers to the townships where the majority of the previously disadvantaged people of South Africalive. Device SA distribute and install the donated computers in South Africa. They also supplied theWomen’s Development Bank with computers.FreeCom Group (Pty) Ltd which is based in the Cape Metropolitan Council administered area managesa similar operation but is a South African initiative that is supported by the Swiss Contact BusinessGroup.6.2.2 Traders /retailersIn South Africa, there is no Advance Recycling Fee System or extended product responsibility attachedto the trade of computers and other electronic goods. However, distributors such as Axiz swap outobsolete computers when supplying clients with new equipment. For the most part, these computers arenot recycled.▪ AXIZ: Axiz are major distributors for computers and related peripheral electronic goods. They swapout obsolete computers when supplying new equipment to clients. However, they do not trade in e-waste at present. Instead, they pay Enviroserv to landfill recovered material that stems from theirextended product responsibilities at the Holfontein site, and are issued with a certificate of safedisposal.▪ MUSTEK: Mustek are one of the larger suppliers in the retail market for computers and peripherals.6.2.3 ConsumersInformation derived from a number of suppliers corroborates the statement made by Mr Wayne Vermijof Axis that some 80% of all computer sales are made to government departments whether at local,regional, provincial or national levels. Officials from a number of government departments have alsostated that they know of many computers that no longer work but are in storage in government officesthroughout the country. Small businesses and households also appear to store their obsolete machinesand eventually dispose of them to the municipal solid waste collection system and these are landfilled inpermitted general waste sites. Very little of this material is recovered by salvagers operating on thelandfill sites.6.2.4 Authorized E-waste Collection PointsThere are currently no organised take-back systems, although in Gauteng, Pikitup, the JohannesburgMetropolitan Municipality’s waste management utility, and Ekurhuleni Metro Waste Management areplanning to provide drop-off points at their garden refuse transfer stations to assist with data collectionregarding household e-waste generation.6.2.5 Licensed Sorting and Dismantling CompaniesIn South Africa, no licenses are required to sort or dismantle e-waste. This function is performed by23/41