E-waste school campaign delivers smiles all round

The Dubai municipality has opened several centres where residents can hand in unwanted electronic items to be restored and distributed for use.

The school campaign began three months ago in association with the electronics and home appliance retailer Eros Group.

DUBAI // When eight-year-old Selma Rubenius handed over her unwanted electronic items to a group of labourers this week, she was not only doing her bit for charity but also helping to save the environment.

The Gems World Academy (GWA) pupil took part in a Pass It On campaign that encourages children to reduce waste by reusing and recycling discarded electronic equipment.

"I gave my old headphones," Selma said. "They were so happy to see us with the stuff.

"I learnt that we should recycle our things whenever possible and think about people who are less fortunate," she said.

The school campaign began three months ago in association with the electronics and home appliance retailer Eros Group. More than 120 items had been collected, Kim Band, head of GWA's Eco School, said.

All used products were fully restored and distributed at an Al Quoz labour camp this week.

"We had everything from appliances and DVD players to laptops and telephones donated," she said.

Ms Band said most students did not know how to recycle electronic items, and the initiative taught them valuable lessons.

"We are a privileged school and it was the first time students were seeing the situation of the blue-collared workforce in the UAE," she said.

"So, it not only made them environmentally aware but they now know that they can pass on their unused items to someone who really needs them."

The programme did not end at the school gates, she said. Students took the eco-message home, with parents getting involved as well.

Most electrical waste (e-waste) ends up in landfill sites and is a source of hazardous material suh as cadmium, mercury, lead and polychlorinated biphenyl.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, 20 to 50 million tonnes of e-waste are generated worldwide every year.

In Dubai, the municipality has opened several centres where residents can hand in unwanted electronic items to be restored and distributed for use.

Kaylyn Thyssen, a grade 11 pupil at GWA, said: "I am from South Africa and there we would not trash operational pieces but get them fixed and use them.

"I know a lot of e-waste that is generated is dumped in Third World countries where it causes severe pollution. That should not be the case," she said.

Rajat Asthana, deputy general manager of the Eros Group, said that the stores planned to establish partnerships with other schools to continue the awareness programme.

"Consumers here are constantly investing in the newest technology, and the challenge arises when they do not know what to do with the old items," he said.

"Passing it on is just one way of being socially and environmentally responsible."