Old junk - or technology of the future?

What happens to your old computer when its working life is over? Every year, thousands of tons of electronic waste arrives in West Africa from Europe, causing major pollution problems.

Sénamé Koffi Agbodjinou is an architect and entrepreneur who founded WoeLab, a community of Togolese techies doing astounding things with junk other people throw away. Here he is back at his old school in Lomé, to show students a 3D printer made entirely from e-waste.

These electronic goods might not work any more. Their previous owners have probably upgraded to latest model. But for Woelab, they are full of potential.

With a bit of ingenuity, they could be reborn and put to use in a whole new form. Like this “Jerry” computer!

Now, school kids are learning to get involved too - and why recycling is so important for the environment, the development of their city - and their own futures. And what better way of selling the idea, than with the lure of cutting edge technology?

It’s not just e-waste the West dumps on Africa. Every year around 3 to 4 million used cars arrive in West Africa from Europe – primarily Germany and France.

And there are also initiatives making use of other kinds garbage. The team at SCoPE are sorting through plastic waste. They got inspired to make their neighborhood a nicer place to be.

Mariam Amadou-Mamah used to burn her plastic waste. Now she collects it in recycled garbage bags for SCoPE to pick up. She says she’s grateful to the project for helping clean up Lomé’s streets.

There are all sorts of way to repurpose discarded plastic – from recycling sacks created from old drink cartons, to something as simple as finding new uses for old containers.