Together WEEE Can

The EcoWaste Coalition, in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and with funding from the Global Environment Facility through the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, organized the "Together WEEE Can! E-Waste Collection Concert" last November 5, 2023, held at the Marikina Sports Center.
 
The primary objective of the concert was to promote awareness about the government's "Safe PCB and E-Waste Management Project". The event also highlighted the importance of proper disposal of Waste Electrical or Electronic Equipment (WEEE) to prevent the accumulation of hazardous materials like shattered metals, glass, plastic, and wires in various environments, including roads, forests, and bodies of water such as creeks and rivers.
 
Additionally, the concert aimed to support the separation of plastics contaminated with polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a persistent organic pollutant (POP), from the general e-waste stream. This separation ensures the environmentally responsible disposal of such plastic waste and the lead-containing glass found in cathode ray tubes (CRTs) from televisions and computers.
 
It is crucial to note that some e-waste contains PBDEs, which are highly toxic and resistant to environmental degradation. These chemicals are targeted for elimination under the Stockholm Convention, which the Philippines is part of. Proper management of PBDE-containing materials is a legal obligation for the country. Moreover, hazardous substances like lead, cadmium, mercury, flame retardants, and other concerning chemicals in e-waste can contaminate the environment, air, water, soil, food supply, and even our bodies if not managed properly.
 
Prior to the event, drop-off points for old, used, or broken electronic waste were set up in various locations to encourage the public to trade in their e-waste in exchange for tickets to the concert.
 
The E-Waste Collection Concert is an innovative example to raise awareness about the need for collective action in addressing this toxic threat to both human health and ecosystems, uniting everyone in the effort to make a positive change.