Vuthela launches e-waste recycler
October 12, 2004
By Thabiso Mochiko
Johannesburg - Unused electronic material will finally be put to good use following yesterday's launch of African Sky, an electronic-waste (e-waste) recycling company.
The firm said it would recycle obsolete goods such as cellphones, computers and switchboards through its partnership with the world's largest electronic recycling group, Citiraya.
Allan Werth, African Sky's chief executive, said the components would be shipped to Citiraya, while plastics and metals would be recycled locally.
"We don't have the technology to recycle the components and we believe that Citiraya has the capability to turn the goods into good value," he said.
Ninety six percent of a telephone could be built from recycled material.
African Sky, started four months ago, specialises in the recovery and recycling of surplus, defective and obsolete electronics equipment.
It is owned by empowerment group Vuthela, with a 52.5 percent stake. The balance is held by Crystal Holdings.
Vuthela is owned by musician Johnny Clegg, radio personalities Tim Modise, Thabiso Sikwane and Jonathan de Vries. Crystal Holdings is owned by Werth and African Sky's chairman, Athol Milford.
The company collects computers from its clients with no costs, although Werth said some clients required payment for the machines.
"The costs are negotiable, however, we charge for monitors and batteries because they are difficult to recycle. We try to make the process viable for customers," said Werth.
African Sky has signed agreements with cellular providers, banks, medical equipment suppliers, information and technology and blue-chip corporations to manage their e-waste requirements from collection to recycling.
Johnny Clegg, African Sky's director and co-founder of Vuthela Services, said components were full of toxins and a danger to the environment.
"Fortunately, countries around the world are making manufacturers more accountable for their products when they fall out of use and into the global waste stream," he said.
Vuthela will also build a lodge with the Makhabela Tribal Authority in KwaZulu-Natal. This will be run by Sipho Mchunu, formerly of the band, Juluka.
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