HP Tasks Nigerian Importers On e-Waste Collection

Mr. Herve Gulcher, Environmental Director of Hewlett Packard (HP) for Europe, Middle East and Africa, on Monday said Nigerian importers should be responsible for electronic waste collection.

 Gulcher told newsmen in Lagos that the importers should make provision for the collection and exportation of disused electronic accessories, for recycling.

 “We should look beyond the health and environmental hazards of e-waste now. Importers can make more money from collection and sending them abroad for reuse.

 “Nigerian importers should be involved in the collection and dismantling of electronic accessories to reduce heaps of waste at dumpsites,’’ he said.

 The HP boss said the company planned to embark on pilot projects on e-waste management solution in Nigeria.

According to Gulcher, HP had since the 1980s been involved in the recycling of e-waste in developed countries.

 “Nigeria is today among countries such as Morocco, Egypt and Kenya where we have solutions on the ground.

 “We need to work out practical solutions that would involve importers and the informal sector in the collection, as well as accessing worldwide e-waste markets,’’ he said.

 Gulcher said the company would support the National Environmental Standard Regulation Agency (NESAREA) in sensitising the informal sector aAnd other stakeholders.

 “People need to shift their minds from waste to resources because there is a lot of valuable materials in these electronics that can generate income and employment,’’ he said.