West Africa has long been a repository for much of the developed world’s outdated and obsolete electronic waste. This is due to many factors, including: the capital intensiveness of recycling e-waste, lax labor and environmental laws, and a lack of political will to jumpstart change. However, in 2013 Kodjo Afate Gnikou did something that had, and still has the potential to alter the relationship between Africa, and its e-waste issue. In Togo, on the coast of west Africa, Afate designed and built a 3D printer out of spare electronic parts, as well as electronic scrap. Using crowdfunding, and WoeLab (a space for people to work on things) Afate created a device that could revolutionize the way Africa handles the waste that is brought to its shores. Though Togo is not hit the hardest (Ghana, Benin, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Liberia) by the waves of e-waste sent by industrialized nations, this breakthrough has serious ramifications for technology in Africa.

Soon after Afate’s 3D printer was constructed, WoeLab continued on the path of making new technologies out of discarded e-waste. By taking parts from trashed computers and servers, a team at WoeLab constructed new computers, which they call “W.Jies.” These computers are housed inside Jerry cans, or containers commonly used to transport water, or gasoline. These devices are currently being sold for approximately $100 and represent a huge shift in the technology dynamic in Africa and offer people in the area a cheaper alternative, with a much smaller environmental footprint. By reusing electronics in unique ways, instead recycling them in harmful ways Afate helps Togo become a beacon of light in the dark world informal electronics recycling. These developments are important because reusing discarded items are much more environmentally sound then recycling, due to lower energy expenditures on the physical recycling process, and the increased value of the original production process. Many companies, such as GreenCitizen, see the value in reuse over recycling, and try their best to promote the best environmental outcome possible.

James Kao is the founder/CEO of GreenCitizen, which provides products and services that help make every day Earth Day. He’s passionate about data and sustainability, with a deep background in launching, funding, and managing successful tech companies. James enjoys spending quality time with his family, hiking, traveling, watching well-made documentaries, and eating good healthy food. read more »