Dell, UNIDO Join Forces for E-Waste Management

Dell and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization have signed an agreement to implement an e-waste management plan for developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

The memorandum of understanding signed by Li Yong, director general of UNIDO, and David Lear, Dell’s executive director of sustainability, commits the two organizations to work together for five years, with an option to extend the partnership.

Developing countries are expected to account for the majority of discarded electronics by 2016, and twice that of developed regions by 2030. The partners aim to advance e-waste management policy, help create an e-waste collection network and dismantling and recycling facilities, and support the development of local recycling infrastructure.

Late last year Dell helped developed an e-waste model for developing countries and opened East Africa’s first large-scale e-waste recycling hub.

The e-waste model and UNIDO partnership build on Dell’s commitments through its Legacy of Good plan outlining its vision for 2020. As part of this plan, Dell has a goal to eliminate 2 billion pounds of used electronics by 2020.

Photo Credit: electronic waste via Shutterstock