Sustainability & Green ICT Archives

International e-Waste Day 2024: Focusing on Camara’s commitment to reusing and recycling technology to reduce e-waste.

October 10, 2024

by Sean Miskelly Camara Sustainability & Green ICT

International E-Waste Day and Camara Education: A Sustainable Solution for IT Asset Disposal

October 14th, 2024, marks International E-Waste Day, a crucial annual reminder of the global e-waste crisis and its growing impact on the environment.In 2024, global e-waste generation is projected to reach 62 million tonnes, a significant rise from previous years, with expectations that this figure will surge to 82 million tonnes by 2030. This growth is driven by increased consumption of electronics, shorter device lifespans, and the challenges of recycling, as less than 25% of the e-waste generated is currently being properly recycled. The rapid increase in e-waste highlights the urgent need for sustainable management solutions to mitigate environmental and health risks associated with improper disposal(International Telecommunication Union)(E-Waste Monitor).

At the forefront of this effort is Camara Education, an organisation dedicated to reducing e-waste while empowering disadvantaged communities through technology. Camara’s commitment to sustainability not only helps mitigate the harmful effects of e-waste but also supports global education by refurbishing and repurposing IT equipment for extended use.

The Global E-Waste Crisis

As technology advances rapidly, the rate of discarded electronic devices continues to increase. Improper disposal of these devices can lead to harmful environmental impacts, with toxic materials like lead, mercury, and cadmium leaching into soil and water. This poses significant risks to ecosystems and human health. Although millions of tonnes of e-waste are produced each year, only a fraction is properly recycled.

International E-Waste Day, first established in 2018, aims to raise awareness about these risks and encourage businesses, governments, and individuals to adopt more sustainable e-waste management practices. The solution lies in initiatives like recycling, refurbishment, and responsible disposal—practices championed by organisations like Camara Education.

Camara Education: A Dual Approach to Sustainability and Education

Camara Education offers a powerful solution for organisations looking to manage their IT Asset Disposal (ITAD) in an environmentally responsible way. By partnering with Camara, businesses can reduce their e-waste footprint while contributing to global education. Here’s how Camara’s approach makes a difference:

Promoting Sustainable ITAD Practices Camara Education ensures that donated IT equipment is refurbished and reused whenever possible. Devices are repaired, upgraded, and tested to meet necessary standards. Those that cannot be reused are responsibly recycled in compliance with local and international regulations, ensuring that harmful materials are kept out of landfills.
Bridging the Digital Divide After refurbishing donated IT equipment, Camara distributes it to schools and education centres in disadvantaged communities, particularly across Africa. This helps bridge the digital divide by providing children with access to technology, allowing them to develop essential IT skills for their future careers.
Supporting the Circular Economy Donating IT equipment to Camara is an active contribution to the circular economy, where electronic devices are continually repurposed instead of discarded. This not only benefits the environment but also creates social value by enabling children to access the technology they need to succeed.
Impact on Global Education Camara Education’s work goes beyond environmental sustainability. By supplying schools with technology, they help students in underserved areas gain the digital literacy skills necessary for success in today’s digital world, thus contributing to the social and economic development of entire communities.

Why Choose Camara Education for ITAD?

For businesses striving to improve their sustainability efforts, particularly in relation to e-waste, Camara Education offers an effective and socially impactful solution:

Environmental Impact: Proper management of e-waste reduces the release of harmful toxins into the environment and conserves resources by promoting the reuse of IT equipment.
Social Impact: Donating IT equipment supports education in underserved regions, helping break the cycle of poverty through technology-enabled learning.
Data Security: Camara follows strict data sanitisation processes, ensuring that all sensitive information is securely wiped from donated devices, providing businesses with peace of mind.

Conclusion: A Sustainable Future Through Education and E-Waste Management

International E-Waste Day is a call to action for individuals and organisations alike to rethink how we dispose of electronic devices. By partnering with Camara Education for your IT asset disposal needs, you are choosing a sustainable solution for e-waste that also supports education in disadvantaged communities. This dual approach allows you to minimise your environmental footprint while making a lasting social impact.

At Camara, our commitment to zero landfill doesn’t end with the equipment we collect from businesses. When these devices eventually reach the end of their useful life, our hubs in Africa work with accredited local partners to recycle and dispose of them responsibly. By working with Camara, you can be part of a solution that combines sustainability with social good, helping to build a more sustainable and equitable future.

This International E-Waste Day, make the choice to be part of the solution by partnering with Camara Education—because sustainability and education go hand in hand.

Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders:

July 12, 2024

by johnfisher Camara Computer maintenance ICT Kenya Sustainability & Green ICT Tanzania Youth Skills & Development

Celebrating World Youth Skills Day with Camara Education

World Youth Skills Day was founded to celebrate the importance of providing young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship. At Camara, we believe that equipping youth with digital skills and knowledge is central to unlocking their full potential and driving positive change in their communities. It is at the heart of everything we do, but exemplified in particular by two programmes: our internships in Kenya, and our Youth Digital Skills course in Tanzania.

Internships in Kenya

Camara Kenya’s Internship programme is a 3-month course designed to equip participants with hands-on ICT skills in a real- world work environment. The initiative attracts students in various IT disciplines from universities and colleges across the country. The participants are based in our Mombasa Hub for day-to-day training and also undertake fieldwork activities in our local schools. The programme has supported almost 600 students to date, 40 of them in 2023.

By the end of the course, students have mastered vital skills including network setup and configuration, software installation & administration, and PC/laptop troubleshooting and repair. They are also taught soft skills such as marketing and how to conduct themselves in the workplace. These in-demand techniques place them ahead of the competition in the job market and help them explore opportunities for self-employment.

Tanzania – YDS

Camara Tanzania recently completed a successful pilot of its Youth Digital Skills As a result, 12 youths have been equipped with the essential digital skills needed in today’s workplace. The programme offered new opportunities for individuals in Dar es Salaam who had previously faced challenges in accessing education or employment.

Among the participants, six have already secured direct employment opportunities with national companies, while others have embraced freelancing as a livelihood. We are thrilled with the outcome of this pilot project and hope to roll out an even better version in the future, based on what we have learnt.

Graduate Testimonies

21-year-old Janeth George successfully completed the YDS course in Tanzania, and it has literally changed her life:

“Thanks to the Youth Digital Skills Program, I am now employed by Dospects Studio. My family believed in marriage, and I struggled to break free from that expectation due to financial dependence on them. But now, after completing the programme, I have gained employable skills and managed to get work. Many thanks to Camara Education, Tanzania.”

Everlyne Mkabili is currently interning with Camara Kenya:

“I am a student from Kenya Coast National Polytechnic pursuing a Diploma in Information Communication Technology. I am currently enrolled as an intern at Camara Education Kenya, a charity that provides computers, teacher training, and innovative learning programs to schools across Africa.

I came to know Camara through a teacher at Ribe Girl’s High School – I received three offers of attachments but the teacher advised me to select Camara since it was the best.

From the very start of the attachment, the learning environment has been friendly and understanding and the skills I have learned so far are top-notch. Among other things, I have learned how to dismantle and assemble all the external and internal parts of a PC; how to install various operating systems to different PCs; how to troubleshoot by running diagnostics; and how to make storage devices bootable.

With these few but important skills, I have been able to help a computer teacher at Ribe Girls’ High School solve a problem with one of his computers that had stopped working (the computer was not powering on, and if it was powering on, there was no display). I gave a solution to this scenario by asking him to remove the PC RAM sticks and clean them, as well as the RAM slots. I also asked him to check the power cable supplying power to the motherboard. After a few minutes, I received feedback from the same teacher, who happily explained to me that the directives I gave him worked successfully.

As we continue with this program, my hope is to gain more skills so that I can use them to build my future career as an IT Support Specialist.”

Irene Gabriel is a Graphic Design graduate of the YDS Program in Tanzania. She said:

“Before starting the training, I aspired to be a soldier, but that path wasn’t accessible. This program became a way for me to acquire additional skills. Now, my ambition is to excel as a graphics designer, leveraging the skills I’ve obtained.”

Kelvin Kirimi Mutuma, a former student at the Star Institute of Professionals, completed Camara Kenya’s internship programme in 2022 and is currently working at Erido Computer Solutions in Mombasa. He said:

“I was born and raised in the outskirts of Mombasa, in a place called Meru, 27 years ago. Growing up in a humble background, my parents did just enough to provide shelter and basic education. It never crossed my mind that one day I would be among the best technicians in the city.

My journey as a technician started in 2022 after completing my Diploma in ICT and CISCO Networking course at Star Institute of Professionals. At the end of my course, I heard about Internship programs at Camara Education Kenya and decided to join. Looking back, I am glad I made the decision – this is where I expanded my knowledge base and garnered experience, which has proved to be invaluable. The team of experts at Camara Kenya is more than willing to help young men and women cross the gap between school graduation and the job market.

Camara Education Kenya equips interns with skills to navigate the job market. While interning at Camara, I had the opportunity to put into practice what I had learned in school. I did all this without the fear of making mistakes since the experts at Camara encouraged us not to fear mistakes but instead to embrace and learn from them. The trainers at Camara allowed us to tag along for field work. The number of trips I made to schools within Mombasa County for computer maintenance and networking is countless. This exposure has jumpstarted my career as a networking and computer technician at Erido Computer Solutions.

At Erido, I have undertaken different roles including computer repair, CCTV installation and maintenance, as well as being a sales agent. All this is a result of the interpersonal skills I gained from Camara Education Kenya, which have enabled me to navigate the job market efficiently.

Today, I pride myself on being among the best computer and networking technicians, courtesy of Camara Education Kenya. Thank you, Camara, for the opportunity to train with you and help kickstart my career.”

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

May 17, 2024

by John Fisher Camara Computer maintenance ICT Sustainability & Green ICT

This year, World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is highlighting the importance of advancing communication technologies for sustainable development. Digital innovation can help connect the world and unlock sustainable prosperity for all. According to the UN, digital technologies can help achieve 70% of the targets of their Sustainable Development Goals. Now more than ever, building a sustainable future demands innovative thinking and action in the digital world.

With 2.6 billion people still unconnected, glaring digital gaps hinder innovation across much of the world. Many countries are struggling to keep up in today’s fast-changing digital landscape.

Camara Education aims to be part of the solution. We are dedicated to empowering communities through technology-enabled learning. In a world where access to information and communication technology is vital, we are at the forefront of leveraging technology to revolutionise education and drive sustainable progress.

Digital innovation empowering education:

Camara Education recognises that access to quality education is a fundamental right and a catalyst for sustainable development. However, millions of children worldwide still lack adequate educational resources, hindering their opportunities for growth and progress. Camara works in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia to establish digital learning centres in schools. We repurpose and refurbish IT equipment donated by businesses around the world, adding educational software and appropriate training to transform used hardware into powerful learning tools.

Empowering educators for impactful teaching:

Camara Education understands that technology alone is not enough; educators need support and training to effectively integrate it into their teaching practices. Thus, Camara Education provides comprehensive teacher training programmes, ensuring educators are equipped with the skills and resources needed to leverage technology for enhanced learning experiences. By empowering educators and school leaders, Camara Education amplifies the impact of digital innovation in classrooms, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.

Customised solutions for local communities:

One size does not fit all in education, especially in diverse global contexts. Recognising this, Camara Education’s local teams work with local authorities, schools and other stakeholder to customise digital solutions that align with each region’s educational needs and challenges. Whether it’s curating digital content tailored to local curricula or providing technical support, Camara Education ensures that its interventions are contextually relevant and sustainable, maximising their impact on student learning outcomes.

Promoting Environmental Sustainability:

In addition to driving educational impact, Camara Education is committed to promoting environmental sustainability. By refurbishing, repurposing or sustainably recycling used equipment, Camara Education not only extends the lifespan of electronic devices but also reduces electronic waste, contributing to a more sustainable future and promoting the circular economy. Our work not only conserves precious natural resources but also reduces the energy and carbon emissions associated with manufacturing new electronics. Additionally, by diverting e-waste from landfills, we prevent harmful pollutants from contaminating the environment.

Get involved:

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day serves as a reminder of the immense potential of digital innovation to drive sustainable development. Camara Education’s work exemplifies this potential, showcasing how technology can be harnessed to transform education and empower individuals and communities. To find out how you can get involved, request a call back.

Celebrating Earth Day 2024: Camara Education’s impact on e-Waste Reduction

April 18, 2024

by Sean Miskelly Sustainability & Green ICT

As we celebrate Earth Day 2024, the need for sustainable practices has never been more pressing. In a world increasingly reliant on technology, the issue of electronic waste (e-waste) has emerged as a huge environmental concern. At Camara we are making a difference by refurbishing and reusing IT equipment, keeping it out of landfill while providing essential digital skills to thousands of students in Africa.

In 2023 alone, we estimate that Camara’s ITAD (Information Technology Asset Disposition) activities deferred over 8 million kilograms of CO2 emissions, saved over 5 billion litres of water that would otherwise have been used in manufacturing equipment, and avoided the mining of over 33 million kilograms of earth for mineral extraction. Meanwhile we supported 387 schools, old and new, installed more than 4,000 computers and trained over 2,000 teachers, imparting digital skills to at least 175,000 young learners.

Camara Education’s Mission:

Founded in the belief that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, Camara Education is a non-profit organisation dedicated to transforming education and disseminating digital skills to underserved students in Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Zambia. Our mission extends beyond just providing access to computers; we strive to ensure that these devices are used effectively and sustainably, through teacher training, local educational content and maintenance of our computer labs to enhance learning outcomes.

The Problem of e-waste:

E-waste, comprised of discarded electronic devices, poses a grave threat to the environment and human health. With the rapid pace of technological advancement, electronic devices are being replaced at an unprecedented rate, leading to a staggering accumulation of e-waste. Improper disposal of these devices results in toxic chemicals leaching into soil and water, as well as contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. According to a recent study, the UK generated the 2nd largest amount of e-waste per capita in the world, while IT and telecoms e-waste almost doubled in the UK between 2008 (19,053 tonnes) to 2022 (37,631 tonnes estimated).

The Role of ITAD services:

Computer refurbishment and reuse plays a crucial role in mitigating the environmental impact of e-waste. By partnering with certified ITAD providers, Camara Education helps ensure that retired electronics are handled in a more sustainable manner, while also providing educational opportunities and crucial IT skills in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia.

Camara adopts a comprehensive approach to IT asset disposition. Our ITAD partners ensure absolute digital security and a full audit trail for all devices we handle, to the highest international standards. Any equipment that cannot be reused is recycled with zero landfill. Inevitably, all devices will eventually reach the end of their usable life. When they do, our local offices endeavour to arrange collection of all of them, and their environmentally responsible recycling through our partner facilities in-country.

Environmental Impact:

By refurbishing and redistributing computers, Camara extends the lifecycle of electronic devices, thereby reducing the demand for new products. This not only conserves precious natural resources but also reduces the energy and carbon emissions associated with manufacturing new electronics. Additionally, by diverting e-waste from landfills, we prevent harmful pollutants from contaminating the environment.

Earth Day:

As we reflect on Earth Day 2024, it is clear that the preservation of our planet requires collective action and innovative solutions. Camara Education’s commitment to combating e-waste while disseminating digital skills exemplifies the potential for the transformative power of technology in promoting sustainable and social equity. By supporting Camara, you can help contribute to a more sustainable future for generations to come.

Global Recycling Day 18th March 2024

March 18, 2024

by Sean Miskelly Sustainability & Green ICT

Making a Sustainable Impact: Global Recycling Day with Camara Education

Every year, Global Recycling Day serves as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of recycling in safeguarding our planet’s future. As environmental responsibility becomes a crucial part of every organisation’s DNA, Camara’s innovative approach to IT re-use and sustainability can help your business achieve its targets. Partnering with Camara to process your end-of-life IT equipment can significantly contribute to your sustainability goals while also boosting social responsibility credentials and doing good in the world.

Camara Education: Empowering Communities Through Technology

We are a non-profit organisation committed to transforming education through the use of technology. With a mission to deliver digital literacy skills and improving learning outcomes, Camara Education refurbishes donated computers and electronic devices for use in schools and educational institutions across underserved communities in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia. Our initiatives not only foster a culture of sustainability through responsible IT asset management but also help bridge the digital divide with the global south.

IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) Partnerships: Redefining Recycling

The cornerstone of Camara’s sustainability efforts lies in our partnerships with IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) specialists. ITAD firms specialise in securely managing the disposition of end-of-life or unwanted IT assets for businesses and organisations – our partners are certified to the highest international standards for physical and data security including ISO 27001 and NIST 800-88. Most donated equipment is securely wiped and then either resold to fund our work or re-used in education institutions in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania or Zambia, When the only option is recycling, our partners operate a zero-landfill policy. We also endeavour to ensure that when equipment does eventually reach the end of its useful life, our local hubs in Africa will collect and recycle it appropriately so that nothing ends up in landfill. To learn more about our ITAD process, click here.

The Sustainability Impact: Reducing e-Waste and Carbon Footprint

The impact of donating equipment to Camara Education extends far beyond the classroom. By diverting e-waste from landfills, these donations play a pivotal role in reducing environmental degradation and mitigating the harmful effects of electronic waste on ecosystems. According to the United Nations, approximately 50 million tons of electronic waste are generated globally each year, with only a fraction being properly recycled. By refurbishing, repurposing or responsibiy recycling donated equipment, Camara Education contributes to the circular economy and minimises the need for the raw material extraction and carbon emissions associated with manufacturing new devices. By reusing a single laptop computer, rather than manufacturing a new one, we can save on average 300kg of carbon emissions, while avoiding the use of 190,000 litres of water and the excavation of 1,200kg of earth to extract minerals. To learn more about our sustainability efforts click here.

Empowering Education, Preserving the Planet

Global Recycling Day serves as a call to action for individuals and organisations worldwide to rethink their consumption patterns and embrace sustainable practices. For Camara and our ITAD partners, the day serves as a testament to our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. By harnessing the power of the circular economy to empower education, Camara exemplifies how collective action can create lasting change in our communities and beyond. We can offer collections in locations across the globe, and help your organisation meet over half of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Join the Movement: Donate and Recycle Responsibly

As we mark Global Recycling Day, it’s worth reflecting on the impact of our actions and the role we play in shaping a more sustainable future. Whether through donating equipment to Camara Education or adopting eco-friendly practices in our daily lives, each of us has the power to make a difference. Together, let us pledge to prioritise sustainability, embrace recycling, and work towards a world where waste is minimised, resources are conserved, and every child has access to quality education. If you’d like us to give you a call to discuss how you can help, click here.

World Environment Day: June 5th

June 3, 2023

by John Fisher Sustainability & Green ICT

Slash your e-waste and make a positive contribution to the world

In the digital age, technology has become an integral part of our lives. As we upgrade our smartphones, laptops, and other electronic devices to keep up with the latest advances, a pressing issue emerges: electronic waste, or e-waste. As the world’s dependence on technology continues to grow, so does the amount of e-waste we generate. Around 50 million tonnes of e-waste is generated every year, a figure expected to reach 75 million tonnes by 2030,

Reusing IT equipment can play a vital role in combating e-waste. Instead of disposing of old devices, they can be refurbished and repurposed for extended use. Reuse not only reduces the amount of e-waste generated but also minimizes the energy and resources required to manufacture new devices. By extending the lifespan of IT equipment, we can significantly reduce the environmental impact associated with the production and disposal of electronic devices.

Camara is committed to reducing e-waste and supporting the circular economy by reusing and recycling electronic devices. Prolonging the life of computer equipment through refurbishment and reuse is a major step towards sustainability and protecting the environment; reducing emissions and keeping e-waste out of landfill.

Refurbished equipment arriving in Kenya, left, and Zambia, right, and in use in a computer lab

As much as 70% of the energy needed to make and operate a typical laptop throughout its lifespan is used in the manufacturing process. So if we can extend the life of existing equipment we can slash e-waste and reduce carbon emissions in the process. The most effective way to reduce waste is to not create it in the first place. Reusing IT equipment plays a vital role: instead of disposing of old devices, they can be refurbished and repurposed for extended use.

By donating your end-of-life or surplus computer equipment to Camara, you not only help reduce pollution, emissions and the use of landfill, but you also contribute to our efforts to bridge the digital divide. We install refurbished computers in eLearning centres in schools in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia, providing students who may never have used a computer before with the opportunity to enter the digital world. This opens up a whole world of employment and life opportunities. Without the gear, they can’t achieve that.

Bear in mind that it’s crucial to ensure proper data sanitization when reusing IT equipment. Our specialist processing partners meet the highest security and environmental standards, so your IT assets and data are safe with us.

In conclusion, e-waste poses a significant environmental challenge, but reusing IT equipment presents at least a hint of a solution. By embracing reuse, we can reduce e-waste, conserve resources, and create a more sustainable future. It’s time to recognize the value of our old devices and give them a second life, benefiting both the environment and those in need. Let’s make a conscious effort to promote the reuse of IT equipment and take a step towards a greener tomorrow.

EARTH DAY: TACKLING E-WASTE

April 20, 2023

by John Fisher Sustainability & Green ICT

April 22nd marks Earth Day, promoting sustainability as the path to prosperity for humanity and business alike. E-waste is a huge global problem – more than 53 million metric tons of e-waste was produced in 2019 alone, according to Global E-waste Monitor 2020. This weighs more than the total number of commercial aircraft ever built. Businesses need to have policies to address this.

For most organisations and IT managers, IT Asset Disposition is a necessary evil. Something that, at best, happens out of sight in the background. Camara Education offers the chance to turn that around, converting a tedious necessity into a positive contribution to the world and making ITAD a vital part of a corporate responsibility policy.

We believe that prolonging the life of computer equipment through refurbishment and reuse is a vital step towards sustainability and protecting the natural environment. We collect surplus IT equipment from businesses and process it to the highest international environmental and data-security standards. We also endeavour to ensure that all our computers in Africa are appropriately recycled at end of life.

If data storage devices are not disposed of appropriately when they are decommissioned, millions of perfectly usable devices and harvestable components can make their way into landfill – and put data at risk. Our aim is to avoid waste altogether by re-using IT equipment that organisations are disposing of. However, there are times when equipment becomes faulty beyond economical repair. In these cases our partners worldwide follow best practice when disposing of waste and recycle whenever possible with an aim to maintain a zero-landfill policy. Our ITAD partners operate Environmental Management Systems that have been certificated to ISO 14001.

Items that cannot be economically repaired or are determined to have no commercial value are declared Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). WEEE processing involves segregating items into different waste streams such as circuit boards, processors, memory, hard disk drives, cables, computer shells etc.

In the UK, the treated waste streams are sent to an authorised recycling company for further treatment and to be made available as raw material. The equipment undergoes several refining processes where the items are shredded and destroyed beyond any thoughts of repair, ensuring data is irretrievable whatever the sophistication of recovery equipment. The metallic, plastic and ferrous particles are separated and refined until ready for onward processing as raw materials such as copper, steel, aluminium, precious metals, plastic etc. The dust and particles created during the shredding and refinement process are extracted from the air and compacted to produce dust cakes. These can be used as a fuel source.

Ferrous

Copper

Plastic

Recycled products

In Africa, our hubs strive to become innovative leaders in e-waste management locally. We aim to create a closed loop system for all e-waste generated through our projects, so our contracts with schools provide that equipment is returned to us and we have partnered with licensed local partners to ensure proper collection, disposal and recycling of all e-waste and end-of-life equipment from schools.

ETHIOPIA: E-WASTE MANAGEMENT IN PRACTICE

More than 1,600,000 students have benefited from Camara Education Ethiopia’s 12-year effort to modernise the education system with technology, and more than 60,000 computers have been installed. While carrying out this life-altering activity, Camara Education Ethiopia also makes an effort to stay in touch with schools supported in previous years so that the outdated computers can be replaced and the old ones recycled in an environmentally acceptable manner. Camara Education Ethiopia primarily collaborates with Hefli on e-waste recycling and management on this e-waste initiative. Hefli is certified by the Ethiopian Environmental protection Agency.

St. John Baptist, a school we first supported in 2009, recently gave 13 old computers back to Camara Education Ethiopia. We followed their journey to Hefli:

The computers are collected and transported to Hefli.

At the recycling facility, the computers are disassembled and any working components, such as drives, set aside for reuse. Cabling, metals such as copper and other items can also be reused.

Set aside for processing.

The end result.

Africa Climate Week 2021

September 24, 2021

by Emma Delaney Camara Sustainability & Green ICT

Africa Climate Week 2021, a virtual event, will bring together countries and organisations to showcase climate action in Africa ahead of COP26.

Learn More about Africa Climate Week 2021 here

CAMARA STARS ON THE GREEN ELEPHANT SHOW

May 11, 2021

by johnfisher Camara Sustainability & Green ICT

The latest Green Elephant environmental podcast focuses on Camara Education, with our very own Danny Walls and Anita McWilliams being interviewed by host, Mike Saville. You can listen in here.

In the podcast, Danny and Anita discuss our work in Africa, Camara’s impact and how your old PCs can bring transformational change to the lives of some of the world’s most disadvantaged young people.

Camara exists because we believe the world would be a better place if all young people were empowered through innovative education to create the life they want to lead. In the process, we can help achieve your organisation’s environmental footprint and corporate responsibility goals.

We believe that prolonging the life of computer equipment through refurbishment and reuse is a vital step towards sustainability and protecting the natural environment. We collect surplus IT equipment from businesses and process it to the highest international environmental and data-security standards. And then we use refurbished computers to set up IT labs in African schools, load them with locally appropriate educational content, and train teachers and local staff to use and maintain them.