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

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Computer manufacturers upgrade their clients' systems because the hardware and softwaremanufacturing industry revolves around developing new products, and a brand's marketability dependson constant innovation. Millions of computers are replaced every year. Obsolete machines are storedindefinitely, and only a low percentage recycled. Even less are reused.To extend a computer's lifespan, its working life, before it fails or becomes obsolete, must bemaximised. Even once a computer is relatively obsolete, there may be alternative uses for it.OpenSource software can extend the life span of a computer by a number of years. This software isable to run on older systems with technical specifications far below the ever-increasing “Entry Level”specifications required for the latest proprietary software, while performing more than adequately incomparison.Local Area Networks (LANs), consisting of older machines, refurbished as dumb terminals or thin clientsconnected to an intelligent server machine, can even extend the life of Pentium I machines. Oldermachines may also be used as programmed logic controllers, managing industrial processes andinstrumentation.8.2 Project Schematic8.2.1 Refurbished hardware installed in modified marine containersOld machines, connected as thin clients to fast intelligent servers, could be installed in recycled andconverted marine containers, to create cost-effective computer centres. The thin clients would bePentium I machines, recovered through Buy-Back Centres or by tender from South African sources.These machines would have been refurbished in workshops created for that purpose in each of themajor centres. Computer centres would be franchised to emerging entrepreneurs, who would beresponsible for administering the networks and premises.8.2.2 Pilot ProjectsThis extension of the e-waste project was originally conceived with the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal in mind, as these areas are economically disadvantaged compared to the Western Cape andGauteng. Pilot projects may be unnecessary, as similar initiatives have already been established in theWestern Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.8.2.3 Use of OpenSource software and hardware specificationsOpenSource software will be used to eliminate the cost of software licensing. All the software packagesrequired to operate in a business computing and internet environment are freely available at no cost.An evolving Linux Network has been running in the Lombard de Mattos & Associates office for the last 5years. This document was prepared using OpenOffice 1.1.1 as the office software, running on a FedoraCore 2 Linux Operating System platform, and the message was sent using Mozilla Thunderbird as e-mail client software. There are many other useful productivity packages available. The ShuttleworthFoundation promotes OpenSource software through its “Go OpenSource” initiative.34/41
8.2.3.1 Stand-alone desktopsOpenSource software performs quite well on older hardware, provided that the chipspeed is in excessof 500 MHz and the machine's memory has been boosted to at least 128 Mb, with a hard drive capacityupwards of 5 Gb.8.2.3.2 Thin client machines in an LANIn this case, machines ranging from 486s to Pentium IVs can be used. A network card (if it is not builtinto the motherboard), a graphics card, a monitor, keyboard and mouse are required at the desktoplevel. The server would require a chipspeed of 1 GHz, memory of at least 2 Gb, and a hard drivecapacity of no less than 20 Gb.8.2.3 Interested Parties8.2.3.1 Metropolitan MunicipalitiesThe Ethekwini Metro and the Cape Metropolitan Council have indicated interest in the project. Theproject originally involved the assembly of refurbished older machines in work groups, or mini LANS, incommunity centres, but that was fraught with difficulty when it came to communities acceptingownership of the centres in each case. The political complexities relating to community “gatekeepers”was an almost insurmountable problem. Development initiatives such as these often prove to be amajor source of division within impoverished communities, where employment and sources of revenueare difficult to come by and hence often controlled by political factions. Hence, the idea of developingopportunities for entrepreneurship within communities was mooted. Even this will not entirely removethe initiative from the realms of the politically opportunistic. The backing of a body the size of a Metrowould be advantageous because such a structure would have the political power to deal with thedifficulties of implementation.8.2.3.2 GovernmentA spreadsheet is attached which illustrates the business potential of each of the computerised businessand training centre/internet cafe operations. In order to be sustainable this system could not rely oncharity or cross-subsidisation. A simple, self-financed business operation, set in a company that wouldhave the black economic empowerment (BEE) attributes required for economic advancement ofpreviously disadvantaged individuals in South Africa would more likely succeed.The project concept was received with favourable comment by Ms Marba Visagie, Deputy Director ofEnvironment at the Department of Trade and Industries.35/41
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