Learning Light
Second Floor, Gladstone Building,
1 St James Row, Sheffield, S1 2EU
Tel +44 (0)114 223 2442; Web www.learninglight.com
18th October 2010
Learning Light e-learning programme helps protect the environment
and e-waste workers in Nigeria
An e-learning programme developed by Learning Light and demonstrated
via workshops run by staff at the University of Northampton is
helping people in Nigeria to recycle electrical and electronic
waste.
Learning Light, a company limited by guarantee which focuses on
promoting the use of e- learning and learning technologies,
developed the e-learning materials covering various aspects of waste
recycling operations and had piloted them successfully in the UK.
The e-learning programmes, which deal with disassembling electrical
equipment, from sewing machines to LCD televisions in the most
environmentally-friendly way, concentrate on the requirements of the
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE
Directive).
Those who complete these e-learning programmes have the knowledge
and skills to disassemble electrical equipment - such as old
personal computers - and break down this equipment into its
constituent parts. These parts can then be recycled and, depending
on the costs of copper, plastic and so on, can produce an income for
the 'disassembler'.
"This programme is not only playing a part in giving learners
valuable skills which can earn them an income, but it is helping to
train more people to adopt a more environmentally friendly approach
to disposing of electronic and electrical waste," said Learning
Light's operations director, David Patterson.
Having heard about these e-learning materials, Margret Bates, from
Northampton's School of Science and Technology, contacted Learning
Light to incorporate these materials in a series of workshops which
University of Northampton staff were running for e-waste workers in
Nigeria, on the hazards of their work.
This project was conducted in partnership with the Basel Convention
Regional Coordinating Centre for Africa, at the Nigerian University
of Ibadan. The two year project has gained funding from the UK
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills through the British
Council.
According to Margret Bates, from Northampton's School of Science and
Technology, Nigeria is fast becoming a digital dump for electronic
wastes in the form of old computers, TV sets, second-hand mobile
phones and other discarded items from Europe and the USA. This is
toxic waste since it contains hazardous substances which are harmful
to both people and the environment.
Learning Light's Patterson, added: "Hundreds of people make their
living from looking for precious metal components for recycling
within the e-waste, burning the waste to get to them and this
releases carcinogenic substances. They are literally killing
themselves to get to the 'usable' bits from the e-waste.
"So, on a number of levels, we feel that it's important to
contribute to these workshops. Not only can we train these e-waste
workers how to dismantle this equipment at minimum risk to
themselves but we can also reduce the amount of this waste going to
landfill and improve recovery and recycling rates - thus helping the
environment."
End
Notes for Editors
About The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE
Directive)
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE
Directive) was introduced in January 2007. The Directive aims to
reduce the amount of electrical and electronic equipment being
produced and to encourage everyone to reuse, recycle and recover it.
The Directive also aims to improve the environmental performance of
businesses that manufacture, supply, use, recycle and recover
electrical and electronic equipment.
Electrical and electronic waste is the fastest growing waste stream
in the UK. Some 1.8m tonnes of this waste are generated every year.
The WEEE Regulations aim to reduce the amount of this waste going to
landfill and improve recovery and recycling rates.
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations
apply to electrical and electronic equipment with a voltage of up to
1000 volts for alternating current or up to 1500 volts for direct
current and cover: large household appliances; small household
appliances; IT and telecommunications equipment; consumer equipment;
lighting equipment; electrical and electronic tools; toys, leisure
and sports equipment; medical devices; monitoring and control
equipment, and automatic dispensers.
About Learning Light Ltd
Sheffield-based Learning Light is a centre of excellence in the use
of e-learning and learning technologies in the workplace. Its
knowledge base contains over 400 papers offering insights and advice
on how to use e-learning & learning technologies.
Learning Light, which operates www.e-learningcentre.co.uk one of the
leading resources on e-learning in the UK, works closely with the
Universities of Leeds and Sheffield and has undertaken a Systematic
Literature Review of the available papers on the effective use of
e-learning in conjunction with the University of Sheffield.
Learning Light occupies a unique space in the e-learning and
learning technology sector networking with:
-
Suppliers of e-learning and learning technologies to support the
growth of the sector
-
Buyers
seeking out learning technology solutions to improve the
effectiveness of their business or organisation
-
Leading organisations worldwide who provide it with market knowledge
from around the globe
It:
-
Provides unbiased and impartial advice to both suppliers and
buyers
-
Hosts events and workshops that provide the platforms to impart
and gain knowledge by encouraging collaboration and sharing of
best practice
-
Acts as a conduit between suppliers and buyers to forge
successful business partnerships
-
Provides market intelligence and benchmarking information gained
from its many contacts and networking partners
-
Provides access to research materials from leading learning
technology professionals
Further information from:
David Patterson/ Gill Broadhead, Learning Light, +44 (0)114 223 2442
Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR, +44 (0)1727 860405
www.learninglight.com
