WR3A Posts Computer Export Video

The World Reuse, Repair and Recycling Association (WR3A) has posted a video it helped produce to the YouTube file sharing site.

The video, which premiered at the Electronics Recycling Conference hosted by the Recycling Today Media Group in Orlando in June of 2007, depicts both positive and negative aspects of the sale of used computers in developing nations.

In particular, the market in African nations such as Senegal is portrayed. On one hand, entrepreneurs who receive shipments of repairable units can form growing companies and serve a demand for affordable computer equipment.

On the other hand, in some African nations the disposal of older units and components that cannot be repaired is creating environmental and safety problems similar to what has occurred in Chinese villages such as Guiyu.

According to Robin Ingenthron of the WR3A, “the video tries to explain both sides of the export business [and] to explain WR3A’s role, patterned after ‘fair trade coffee.’ We are trying to set up standards so the legitimate part of the business is not thrown out with the bath water,” he comments.

Those interested in the video can find it on the Web at:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=wr3a&search=Search.