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Got any old kit? Then do your bit for charity
PCs for LDCs...

By Will Sturgeon

Published: Tuesday 03 February 2004

Computer Aid International has launched its latest appeal for second-hand PCs as it continues to provide refurbished hardware to bridge the growing global digital divide.

Computer Aid International provides reconditioned PCs to schools and community projects in less developed countries and this winter shipped PC number 25,000 to a scheme in Rwanda.

However, the organisation is not resting on its laurels and is calling upon anybody who may have Pentium PCs which are either gathering dust, waiting to be skipped or due to be replaced to get in touch.

The potential to bridge the digital divide is huge - with schools and schools-worth of PCs being scrapped each year. According to Computer Aid International, each year nearly 1.5 million PCs find their way into landfill sites.

However, that course of action is fast becoming more problematic with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive due to become UK law in August 2004. This legislation will increase companies' liability for the electrical equipment which they discard.

As such, donating equipment to causes such as Computer Aid International may actually save companies money and also take out a lot of red tape regarding the disposal of obsolete kit.

Tony Roberts, CEO of Computer Aid International, said in a statement: "IT managers need a policy in place so they are seen to be conforming with the directives. Industry experts have expressed concerns that the UK does not have an infrastructure to cope with the need to recycle millions of PCs once the new law is introduced. Computer Aid International can help by providing a viable alternative to costly decommissioning and recycling."

The organisation also promises to help companies comply with data protection laws as many who discard kit without wiping hard drives may already be in breach. Computer Aid International wipes hard drives to exacting Ministry of Defence standards.