D R A F T Message outline for IDRC e-waste tool kit BROCHURE last updated: 3/7/07 Logo and new name 1: What is e-waste? Summary description of the nature of the e-waste problem Photo of pile of dead computers outdoors near a lake in LAC
2: Why should I be concerned about e-waste? Description of the impact of toxins on the environment & human health Description of the cause, scope and impact of landfilling or burning dead computers Description of the effects on workers and the local environments of informal recycling (precautions described below) Graphic showing impact
3: What/where are the toxins? (should be a sidebar insert of text) ● Description of the toxins found in computers and peripherals and their location (text aided by clear graphic of inside of computer with arrows)
4: What can I do to prolong the life of my computer? (some via WCE website)
Description of preventative maintenance procedures to prolong the life of computers Description and list of diagnostic software that can assist the repair of nonfunctioning computers Description of how to replace hard drives, power supplies and disassembly of dead computers (with a link to existing quality detail) Description of strategies for upgrading computers as a reuse strategy Description of Free & Open Source Software (FOSS) that reduce need to replace computers Description of strategies for reducing the energy consumption of computers
5: If all else fails, how do I dispose of my computer?
Description of computer repair and refurbishing centres in LAC (available at tool kit website via link to WCE website for list by country developed separately) Description of the e-waste recycling centers that exist in LAC (available at tool kit website via link to WCE website for list by country developed separately) Description of any existing take back programs and extended producer responsibility programs by LAC branches of computer manufacturers Description of organizations that accept used computer donations in LAC (available at tool kit website via link to WCE website for list by country developed separately)
6: Who can help me? A) Community (let them know a directory will be on tool kit website)
Description of generic of individuals and organizations (businesses, universities, NGOs) that are addressing e-waste issues in LAC(available at tool kit website via link to SUR website for list by country developed separately) Description of role in this and policies of Environment Ministers in LAC (available at tool kit website via OAS or IDRC website?)
B) School
Description of existing lesson plans on the topic of e-waste (available at tool kit website via link to WCE website for list developed separately) Description of who to contact at the ministry of education and LAC educational organizations (available at tool kit website via link to OAS or IDRC or SUR website?) Description of existing Spanish language sites on e-waste problem (available at tool kit website via link to WCE website for list developed separately) Description of tool kit educational modules on e-waste and explanation of how to get them from tool kit website
C) Business (2 parts: business and then entrepreneurs interested in recycling) Generic description and list of LAC companies that accept end products of demanufacturing (will this be part of business plan paper?) (available at tool kit website via link to WCE website for list by country developed separately) Description of NGO's in LAC that provide ICT training as potential sites for refurb/recycle training (available at tool kit website via link to WCE website for list by country developed separately) Description of the tool kit paper on business plan development for e-waste entrepreneurs with reference to it being available on the tool kit website Description of training for workers in e-waste recycling & refurbishing (available at tool kit website via link to WCE website for material developed separately) Description of alternative models from developed/developing countries for computer reuse and recycling. (Some drawn from tool kit paper and some available at tool kit website via link to WCE website for list developed separately) Credits The lists by country (mentioned above) – could be printed out as part of a tailored insert.