WeCare NPC

General information

WeCare NPC Programme

To give you an idea of the scope of the challenge, consider that in South Africa, the poorer schools have one PC for every 50 students. That ratio is probably far worse in other African countries.

Our aim is to improve that statistic so that there is one PC for every two students.

The Plan

We will achieve this through Sims’ existing global Asset Take-back Programme. This involves procuring old PCs from corporate and government clients. Sims provides a service to these clients which includes wiping the disks clean of data, de-badging the PCs, cleaning and refurbishing them, reinstalling Windows 7 and finally reselling the finished product as a refurbished PC.

This programme has worked successfully for many years, and is a far better way of treating old PCs than simply scrapping them.

The Market

Sims Recycling Solutions Africa, which is based in Ballito near Durban in South Africa, identified a huge demand for affordable PCs in the country. This demand, which comes from schools and individuals, far outstrips the supply of second-hand PCs.

A similar situation exists in most African countries.

The Challenge

Of course, even if there were enough 2nd-hand PCs available, they are usually too expensive for the people and schools which need them. Generally, they can afford to pay about a third the price of a new, non-branded PC,however the tier-one equipment Sims procures from its clients is usually worth more than this.
This problem is well recognised all over the world – so we came up with the WeCare Programme – where everybody wins!

How it Works

Sims will ask its clients to supply some of their used PCs below the value that could be obtained in Western second hand markets, and will continue to provide the same service. By participating in the WeCare Programme, the clients will actively contribute to their Corporate Social Responsibility commitments, helping to enhance computer literacy in Africa. All the schools’ success stories will be told here, on the WeCare Facebook page (linking the clients to the schools). And the schools and people of Africa will have access to affordable computers!

Getting Started

The programme will be rolled out in South Africa first, followed by Kenya and Nigeria and then the rest of Africa. Sims already collects electronic waste from 27 countries in Africa, bringing it to Durban for recycling, so we know about the logistic networks of the continent.

Closing the Loop

Here’s where this programme is different. Sims will be putting thousands of PCs into the schools of Africa, and after a while these computers will become obsolete. So, we are setting up small companies who have been trained by Sims to support the PCs, collect and dismantle general ewaste, and collect the PCs once they are no longer usable so that they can be returned to Sims for recycling. As part of this Approved Dismantlers Programme, Sims will supply the logistics to ensure that the ewaste and old PCs are returned to Sims for further processing.

Sims WeCare Programme – Good for the Environment, Good for You, and Good for the Future of Africa