Cisco recycling aims to help solve Africa's dumping problem

Cisco Systems has embarked on a "take back and recycle" program, to ensure that consumers in Africa do not use phased-out equipment.

The program takes used Cisco gear as well phased-out products that may still be sitting on resellers' shelves. Cisco has already indicated that it is phasing out the Linksys brand, which is common in Africa.

"Cisco's take back and recycle program is designed to dispose properly of surplus products that have reached their end of useful life and ensure that they are not dumped or sold off in developing countries," said Rose Bambi, Cisco's public relations manager in Middle East and Africa.

Cisco products are gaining ground in Africa as more countries connect to fiber optic cables and bandwidth prices fall. The company expects its channel partners to inform consumers about the recycling program.

"The program is open to all business users of Cisco branded equipment; products returned are sent to a recycler that de-manufactures, shreds, and sorts materials into the fraction commodities which are either sold or given to downstream recyclers for use in new products," added Bambi.

Although Cisco does not have a recycling plant in the region, Bambi says the company is working with partners to make sure the equipment is handled in an environmentally safe manner using processes that comply with all e-waste regulations.

Computer For Schools Kenya (CFSK) runs the only certified recycling plant in the East Africa region and has been running a campaign to encourage big technology companies to partner and recycle in Nairobi instead of shipping the equipment back to the West.

"The CFSK plant can handle large quantities of e-waste in a day; has employed young people and its important for equipment manufacturers and vendors in the region to work with communities," said Seth Munyambu, e-waste management officer at CFSK.

CFSK is the main recycling agency for e-waste from government ministries in Kenya and frequently organizes visits for companies interested in assessing how the recycling plant is run and whether it complies to global standards.

"Upon completion of the recycling process, Cisco will provide documentation about the disposition of the returned product, and can provide a certificate of destruction upon request, which releases the customers business from any further liability for the equipment," Bambi added.

While the Cisco program may save customers the cost of managing and storing excess, outdated, or used ICT equipment, most such equipment on the continent is dumped is sold at low cost -- in some cases the equipment works, making cost-conscious customers consider buying obsolete equipment.