Impact Of E-Waste On The Operating Model Of A "Close The Digital Divide" Organisation

This paper aims to illustrate how a general operating model of re-use of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), and specifically for PCs in developing countries, deals with the challenges and opportunities of increasing e-waste awareness. More specifically, we focus on the role of ICT in the complex societal problem of e-waste in developing countries. The research question we put forward: How can Close the Digital Divide organisations deal with e-waste challenges in a sustainable manner so they can continue to contribute to ICT4D? The paper describes one single organisation and illustrates how the operating model evolved from an open-loop to a closed-loop system i.e. from extending product lifecycles of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment (PCs) to including e-waste recycling in developing countries. This case illustrates how re-use of PCs for developing countries, which are mostly forward supply chains, can be complemented with end-of-life recycling-initiatives to reduce hazardous e-waste. The latter is implemented by the organisation as a global reverse supply chain.