Electronic Waste Recycling Project

The E-Waste Recycling Project aims at an efficient and effective solution in e-waste management in Egypt while supporting Cairo's garbage collectors communities. The project operates by receiving e-waste donations from Cairo institutions and organizations as well as residents. Currently, a team of women of the Zabaleen community has been trained on electronic components comprising both hardware and software. They refurbish donated computers and segregate the final components into three categories: refurbished and fully operational devices, recyclables, and e-waste. 

What is E-Waste?

E-Waste is waste from electric and electronic equipment. Devices that have a battery or operate with a plug-in cord are likely to produce e-waste. 

Items which could be E-Waste: 

Batteries | Audio-visual media | IT equipment | White Goods | Telecommunications equipment | Auto-industry parts | Kitchen equipment/appliances

What are the hazards?

1. Printed circuit boards and computer monitors contain lead (Pb), which can cause damage to the nervous system and kidneys and affects brain development in children. 
2. Chip resistors and semiconductors contain cadmium (Cd), which can accumulate in the kidneys and liver in addition to causing neural damage.
3. Relays and switches and printed circuit boards contain mercury (Hg), which can cause chronic damage to the brain and respiratory system and is the cause of some skin disorders.
4. Motherboards contain beryllium (Be) which can cause lung cancer. 
5. The front panel of CRTs contains barium (Ba) which can cause muscle weakness and damage to the heart, liver, and spleen. 
6. Casings and conductor plates contain flame retardants which can impede hormone activity. 

Benefit for the People

This project provides access to affordable computers for the poor. The access to modern information technology is essential to enable the poor to increase their assets and become empowered. Spirit of Youth sells repaired or newly assembled computers to the poor at low cost. 

In addition, the project creates and finances independent workplaces. The unemployment rate of Manshiyet Nasr is 30%. Thanks to the environmental services at Spirit of Youth, decent work in safe workplaces is afforded to people, adding another positive contribution to the economic development of Manshiyet Nasr. 

Benefit for the Environment

The re-use of repaired or recycled computers avoids electronic waste and protects health and the environment. Old computers, that are disposed of at a disposal site or in a waste treatment plant together with municipal waste, pose the risk of hazardous chemical emissions, such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and flame retardants. These pollutants harm the environment, endanger people's health, and contaminate air and water. 

The re-use of computers is a benefit to both people and nature, but also saves resources and energy. To produce a new computer, you need around 2.790 kwh of electrical energy, 1.5 liters of water, 1.8 kg raw materials and 23 kg of chemical substances. Through the process of assembly, 850 kg of greenhouse gases will be emitted. 

You can help!

Donate your computer! Please bring your computer to the Spirit of Youth offices at 7 Shera Girgis Isa, Manshiyet Nasr, 11284 Cairo or contact Spirit of Youth be emailing soyzabaleen@gmail.com or calling 022 525 6475 and your computer will be collected. 

(The information contained on this page is replicated from a brochure produced with the approval of  the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) and assistance of the European Union.)