What you can do reduce e-waste in the Philippines?
Smartphone brands, like Apple and Samsung, have released their newest models in the past months, encouraging many to let go of their "old" phones and buy the latest ones. Such action contributes to the growing problem of e-waste.
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| File photo: iPhone 13 Pro, Galaxy S22+ |
Addressing e-waste
A report by CNN noted that the world has generated 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste in 2019, and only 17.4 percent of that was recycled, according to data from the United Nations.
With the recent celebration of International E-Waste Day, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEE) Forum, the organization that led the event since 2018, wants to address the problem by focusing this year on small bits of e-waste many people may unintentionally hoard, like old cell phones, headphones, remote controls, and computer mouse.
People tend not to realize that all these seemingly insignificant items have a lot of value, and together at a global level represent massive volumes, WEEE Forum director general Pascal Leroy said.
But this goes beyond your hoarded gadgets at home...
The US Environmental Protection Agency said volumes of e-waste are shipped to developing countries that lack the capacity to reject these imports or the infrastructure to safely recycle them.
The World Health Organization also warned that children in developing nations are usually the ones searching for valuable elements, like copper, silver, palladium, and more. More than 18 million children are exposed to a range of negative health impacts as they engage in this informal e-waste processing industry, it noted.
So, what small steps can you do to help in addressing the problem? Here they are:
1. Look for e-waste facilities - In a report by Manila Bulletin, Jover Larion of the EcoWaste Coalition said Filipinos, specifically those in Metro Manila, may bring their items to the country’s first barangay-run e-waste facility in Barangay 176, Bagong Silang, Caloocan City that was launched in 2020.
This year, a government-funded e-waste treatment, storage, and disposal (TSD) facility were also installed within the area.
Some companies have also launched their own programs to help in addressing the problem.
Globe has its "E-Waste Zero" initiative to collect and recycle old phones, broken chargers, and electronic gadgets. Through this, anyone can donate their old, non-working gadgets at over 100 drop-off points across the country.
For PLDT Inc. and its wireless subsidiary Smart, they have signed a deal with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for an initiative to collect electronic waste from cell sites and offices, BusinessWorld reported.
The companies are working with the department through the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) Region 3 and its accredited provider JMR Trade and Transport Services to collect discarded phones, tablets, computers, chargers, and device accessories, as well as hazardous waste like used lead acid batteries and fiber optic cables.
Aside from this, SM Supermalls introduced its Electronic Waste Collection (EWC) Program to encourage mall shoppers, communities, and individuals to bring their old gadgets and other e-waste for proper disposal. You can find EWC drop boxes in a number of participating SM Malls across the country.
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| Source: SM Prime website |
2. Repair defects first, not upgrade immediately - A slight defect on your phone or any of your gadgets does not automatically mean you have to change it.
You can always bring it to a service center to have it checked up and repaired.
There are also gadget resellers or small shops that provide repair services.
While it is always tempting to upgrade, waiting for a few more years to fully utilize your gadgets will not really hurt you.
Not only were you able to save up your money, but you also helped save the environment.
3. Hand down your old devices - If you do not have plans to sell or dispose of your still-working old gadgets, you can hand them down to relatives, friends, and workmates. As mentioned earlier, you can even donate them.
Remember that some things that are not useful to you anymore might be gold to some.
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