Press Release - 3 April 2007

Digital Links welcome the news that some electronics firms are starting to clean up their act with regards the chemicals used in the manufacture of their products. Lenovo tops the league, with Apple busy protesting their innocence whilst languishing at the bottom. But David Sogan, CEO of Digital Links – a charity that refurbish redundant computers for reuse in developing countries, asks:

“what are these companies are doing to ensure the maximum lifespan of their computers? Computers use an enormous amount of raw materials in their manufacture - 1.5 tons, the weight of a rhinoceros*, so it is essential that computers are used for as long as possible. Reuse is the best form of recycling and companies that donate their old computers through Digital Links can help to ensure this happens”

Of course, these electronics companies are not likely to try and encourage consumers to use items for longer. Digital Links is not asking them to do this. But they do want to know why manufacturers and consumers aren’t doing more to ensure that discarded yet fully functional computers aren’t wasted. Sogan says

“Digital Links can arrange for computers to be collected, fully data wiped and sent to schools in Africa where they provide dramatic new educational opportunities and help to bridge the crippling digital divide between developed and developing nations.” He goes on to say “The Lenovos and Apples of this world don’t need to worry about it cutting into their profits – these remote and chronically under-resourced African schools certainly couldn’t afford new computers!”

* This includes 240 kilograms of fossil fuels (the equivalent of a car travelling from London to Glasgow 4 times).

Notes for Editors
- It’s not all bad news: British Educational software and hardware supplier RM is aware of its environmental and social responsibilities and has provided well over 10,000 PCs to Digital Links for reuse in African schools