E-waste (electronic waste) has now
become the world’s fastest-growing waste stream. This is largely due to poor
waste management which stems from people’s lack of knowledge and awareness
regarding E-waste disposal. E-waste contains toxic substances such as lead,
cadmium and mercury which can negatively harm human health and the
environment.
In view of this matter, an
educational campaign titled Erase E-waste was organised by nine UTAR
Bachelor of Corporate Communication (Honours) final-year students on 16
November 2022 at UTAR Sungai Long Campus. The campaign was held in
collaboration with UTAR Green Campus Committee (UGCC) of UTAR Sungai Long
Campus.
The slogan of the campaign was
“Reuse, Recycle and Revalue”. It aimed to raise the awareness of UTAR
students on the growing E-waste problem and educate them on how to minimise
it.
YB Puan Wong Siew
Ki congratulate students on their efforts
Invited to officiate the Erase
E-waste campaign was a Member of Selangor State Legislative Assembly (MLA)
for Balakong, YB Puan Wong Siew Ki. According to YB Puan Wong, Malaysians’
awareness of proper E-waste management is still relatively low and it needs
to be increased. She is grateful that UTAR students have organised such a
meaningful E-waste awareness campaign for the public. She hopes there will
be more similar activities held in the future.
Dr David Tneh
thanking sponsors, media partner and organising committee
UTAR Dean of Faculty of Creative
Industries (FCI) Dr David Tneh Cheng Eng congratulated the organising
committee and expressed his happiness to see the students make use of this
opportunity to promote environmental sustainability. Dr David Tneh also
thanked Sin Chew Daily for becoming the campaign’s official media partner.
Last but not least, he also thanked Pusat Khidmat DUN Balakong, United
Engine Parts Sdn Bhd, GoodMorning Global Sdn Bhd and Oloiya for sponsoring
the event and ERTH: Electronic Recycling (E-waste) and Takumiko Smartphone
Services for their support.
Jasmine Loke
during her opening remark
Organising Chairperson of Erase
E-waste campaign Jasmine Loke Hui Xia said, "We received an overwhelming
number of positive responses from UTAR students and staff members. We have
successfully collected more than 500 E-waste items from UTAR students. All
these items will be delivered to ERTH, a government-licensed recycling
facility that recycles E-waste. I am happy because this campaign provided us
with a chance to influence students’ behaviours positively and educate them
on the right ways to discard E-waste responsibly.”
Dr David Tneh (middle) presenting souvenirs to YB Puan Wong (right),
accompanied by Jasmine Loke (left)
From left: Dr David Tneh, Jasmine Loke and YB Puan Wong Siew Ki during
the launch
The campaign was filled with a
series of interesting activities like an E-waste artwork exhibition, a forum
and educational game booths. The activities attracted nearly 300
participants. Five E-waste artworks from Takumiko Smartphone Services were
also featured at the E-waste artwork exhibition.
YB Puan Wong (middle) at a game booth
The speakers for the forum titled
"Electronic Waste: A Growing Concern and What We Can Do About It" were
Assistant Director of Hazardous Substances Division Department of
Environment (DOE) Malaysia Nur Aliaa binti Shafie and Chairperson of UTAR
Green Campus Committee (UGCC) of UTAR Sungai Long Campus Assoc Prof Dr Lai
Soon Onn. The forum was moderated by UTAR Green Campus Committee Member Chow
Keng Fatt. They shared current facts and statistics about the arising
E-waste issues and educated the audience on sustainable consumption of
electronics.
From left: Dr Lai,
Chow and Nur Aliaa sharing their insights at the Forum on “Electronic Waste:
A Growing Concern and What We Can Do About It”
The campaign started on 26 August
2022 and ended on 16 November 2022. An online workshop was also held as part
of the campaign on 5 November 2022 via Microsoft Teams to teach UTAR
students how to revalue discarded keyboard keycaps into keychains. A total
of 21 students participated in the workshop. Other than that, the committee
also conducted interviews to find out UTAR students’ level of awareness
towards E-waste as well as their views and behaviours on E-waste recycling.
The team also filmed a documentary video of their site visit to ERTH and
their interview with ERTH’s Branch Manager Mr Kelvin on important E-waste
issues. Both videos were posted on the campaign’s official social media
platforms to support the campaign’s objectives.
Organising committee posing with the E-waste items they have collected
About Erase E-waste
Erase E-waste is a project by UTAR
Bachelor of Corporate Communications (Honours) final-year students of batch
2022/2023, focusing on sustainable E-waste management among UTAR students.
This campaign started on 26 August 2022 and ended on 16 November 2022. It is
in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 12 -
Responsible Consumption and Production.
For more details about the
campaign, you may follow Erase E-waste’s official social media platforms.
Facebook: @erase.ewaste2022
Instagram: @erase.ewaste2022
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