Here in Europe, there are many restrictions and directives dealing with the responsible disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment – go to any local\u00a0 recycling centre and you will find the neatly ordered ranks\u00a0 of battered fridges, TV’s and obsolete computers awaiting\u00a0 their\u00a0 final demobilization – destined to become shiny new products – officialy at least!<\/p>\n
A few years ago we\u00a0 encountered a West African businessman who used to visit a neighbouring warehouse to purchase batches of scrap photocopiers and derelict ex-rental computer\u00a0 equipment for ” recycling” in Africa. Palletloads were squeezed onto an elderly articulated truck – its canvas covers already bulging over a couple of insurance salvage Mercedes – themselves stuffed full with odds and ends – all strapped precariously to the trailer; The\u00a0 whole tottering shipment\u00a0 was destined for export from the nearest port to Africa, where the whole lot was to be sold off to the highest bidder\u00a0 –\u00a0 truck and all.\u00a0 The businessman would then hop back on a plane and repeat the process over again!<\/p>\n
Back in 2012 , an Australian documentary film-maker we knew – David Fedele –\u00a0 travelled to Accra in Ghana to investigate the problem of eWaste – what happens to those broken and obsolete electrical and\u00a0 electronic products once they have been replaced by the latest\u00a0\u00a0 new\u00a0 gadgets.\u00a0\u00a0 The result was the acclaimed documentary eWasteland <\/a>which lifted the lid on what is now a\u00a0 significant problem worldwide.<\/p>\n Filmed at the infamous Agbogbloshie dump in Accra, the 20 minute film makes apocalyptic and grim viewing .<\/p>\n