During a month starting with October 14, the population and institutions are encouraged to gather and yield up waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) to authorized operations as part of a campaign launched by the public association EcoDigital that this way joins the International E-Waste Day. The initiative is celebrated around the world on October 14, being organized by the WEEE Forum, IPN reports.
The campaign organized by EcoDigital is aimed at acknowledging each citizen’s role in ensuring the circulation of electronic products. The goal is to actively engage the population in the collection and yielding of WEEE to authorized operators (Moldrec or EcoREcycling) and to disseminate information and relevant data so as to stimulate a participatory spirit and rational consumption among the population in the Republic of Moldova.
According to UN data that is quoted in EcoDigital’s press release, in 2021 each person on the planet will produce on average 7.6 kg of e-waste, meaning that a massive 57.4 million tonnes will be generated worldwide. Only 17.4 per cent of this electronic waste containing a mixture of harmful substances and precious materials will be recorded as being properly collected, treated and recycled. Many initiatives are taken to tackle this growing concern, but none of them can be fully effective without the active role and correct education of consumers.
The Coronavirus outbreak has had a perceptible effect on our use of electronics and digital solutions, leading to an increase in the consumption of e-products. According to a study commissioned by the European Parliament, in European Union the demand for personal computers and tablets rose by 4.6% year-on-year until December 2020. In this context it is even more important to make users aware of the options that exist for their end-of-life equipment.
At the end of the campaign, the most active e-recycling ambassadors will be awarded by the implementers and partners of the project.
The project “Recycle e-waste, achieve the SDGs” is implemented by the NGO EcoDigital with the financial support of the GEF Small Grants Program, implemented by UNDP Moldova. Thanks to the project launched on 18 March 2021, on Global Recycling Day, the number of e-Waste collection points in the municipality of Chisinau and in each district was increased to 190.
