After two successful electronic waste collection events done in the city, a third e-waste collection activity is tentatively scheduled in October as Baguio residents clamor for more dropping venues.
This is according to the City Environment and Parks Management Office Water and Hazardous Waste Materials Division (WHWMD) head Wilbur Suanding after an online meeting July 10 with officials of the Baguio Eco-Waste Coalition, Environment Management Bureau-central and Cordillera offices, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (Unido), and other concerned offices.
The first collection done in November 2022 yielded three tons while the second collection in the last week of June had residents and office personnel bringing 2.3 tons of household and office e-wastes to the Pacdal covered court.
A Department of Environment and Natural Resources-accredited transporter, Integrated Recycling Industries Phil. Inc., brought the e-wastes to Calamba, Laguna for proper disposal.
Cepmo Asst. Department Head Marivic Empizo expressed gratitude to the barangays, offices and residents who disposed of their e-wastes as Unido reported that Baguio City has the highest quantity collected in the simultaneous e-waste collection event nationwide.
The EMB-CAR took charge of the first e-waste collection and for the second activity collaborated with Unido, Cepmo, the community, the academe, private partners, and the Eco-Waste Coalition.
From the business end, Ellen Lao of TiongSan Bazaar lent steel containers and weighing scales for the e-waste collection activity.
E-wastes contain toxic materials such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers, flame retardants, mercury, copper, and lead which could damage aquifers and river water quality if not properly disposed.
Toxic substances, hazardous and nuclear wastes and the proper disposal thereof are covered by the Toxic Substance and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990. – Julie G. Fianza
