OPM artists Kiyo, Deny and Shortone joins Environmental Management Bureau head Asec. Gilbert Gonzales of the DENR in spreading awareness on E-Waste management. DENR, EcoWaste coalition, UNIDO (United Nations Development Organization) GEF, are co-sponsoring an E-Waste collection concert featuring local artists on November 5 at the Marikina Sports Center. (Photo courtesy of Bernard Testa)
THE waste and pollution watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition is taking its advocacy via a concert embarking on an awareness campaign against improper practice of dismantling Waste Electrical or Electronic Equipment (WEEE).
In partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and United Nations Development Organization funded by the Global Environment Facility the concert – Together WEEE Can! – will be held on November 5, 2023 at the Marikina Sports Center.
The concert aims to raise awareness about the current implementation of the government-led “Safe PCB and E-Waste Management Project.”
During the press conference, the organizers took a swipe at the improper practice of dismantling Waste Electrical or Electronic Equipment that leads to the accumulation of shattered metals, glass, plastic, and wires along roads, forests, and even bodies of water like creeks or rivers.
Another goal of the concert is to support the segregation of plastics contaminated with polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a persistent organic pollutant (POP), from the general e-waste stream and ensure the environmentally sound disposal of such plastic wastes, as well as the lead-containing glass of cathode ray tubes (CRTs) from TVs and computers.
The plastic casings of some e-waste may contain PBDEs, which are chemicals used to retard fire and flames in electronic products like computers and TV. These highly toxic chemicals are very persistent, resisting degradation in the environment.
PBDEs are amongst the POPs targeted for elimination under the Stockholm Convention, to which the Philippines is party to and thus is obliged to manage PBDE-containing materials in an environmentally sound manner.
“The hazardous substances like lead, cadmium,mercury, flame retardants and other chemicals of concern present in e-waste can pollute the air, water, soil, our food supply and our bodies if such growing waste stream is not properly managed,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition.
“Our e-waste concert on November 5 will raise awareness about the need for us to act as one people to address this toxic threat to human health and the ecosystems. Together, WEEE can do it.”
The upcoming Together WEEE Can! An E-Waste Collection Concert will bring together environmentally conscious individuals, youth, community leaders, and organizations to celebrate and promote eco-friendly practice through a combination of live music, interactive workshops, and exhibits to educate and inspire the attendees to make positive changes in their daily lives.
Artists that confirmed their presence during the Together WEEE Can! Concert includes Kean Cipriano, Cean Jr., Zild, Omar Baliw, Kenaniah, DENȲ, Chrstn, 7th, E.J, and Eugene Layug. A special guest artist will also be announced soon.
The EcoWaste Coalition and other organizers are inviting everyone to donate their e-waste to the following E-Waste drop off locations in at the DMCI, DENR Central Office, CITE DENR-NCRO and at the Bagong Silang TSD Facilities in Caloocan City from October 23 – 27.
Free tickets in lieu of e-waste can also be redeemed at the Dampalit TSD Facility in Malabon from October 23 to November 4, and at the Marikina Sports Complex City from November 3-4.
Sample e-waste that can be accepted in droff-off points includes old laptops, desktop computers, printers, fax machines, chargers, LCD projectors, TVs, flashlights, cellphones, and circuit breakers. Busted bulbs or lamps are not acceptable. One e-waste is equal to one ticket.
