electronic waste, such as cell phone, computer, and other techie gadget, plus various household appliance have become a threat because of its increasing volume and the hazardous material it contains.
on the other hand, Indonesia with its needy population and lack of proper regulation (or enforcement) is actually a fertile ground for innovation born from "the power of kepepet" (necessity is the mother of invention) - one of which is the recycling industry. everywhere in electronic center or small shops along the street we can find second hand or refurbished cell phone, a proof of the market potential and the creativity of Indonesian people.
thus there's a huge opportunity to create a proper recycling system for electronic waste in combination with economic empowerment of the people.
my dream is called electric junkyard, a junkyard for electronic waste, in which electronic components can be "cannibalized" (taken its pieces to repair other gadget) or refurbished. electric junkyard should also present online in facebook or web (like bhinneka portal), to provide exchange platform for small electronic repair shops about component or knowledge about refurbishing tips and tricks.
electric junkyard is expected also to become a brand reflecting high quality standard for refurbished goods and provide after sales in various small shops with partnership and certification system.
for consumers, shop with electric junkyard label can be a collection point for electronic waste, either for
a. environmental cause: participate in recycling electronic waste
b. social cause: every refurbished product would be donated to needy people
c. economic cause: trade-in promo
for producers, the causes above fit in CSR and marketing scheme, for example what Nokia has initiated.
for small business, electric junkyard build technician's capacity and reward most creative technician. the business are also supported through branding and promotion event.
