Qatar Foundation takes action against e-waste

The Peninsula

E-waste collection bins placed across Education City

Doha: Qatar Foundation is encouraging members of the community to celebrate Qatar Sustainability Week by recycling their e-waste, dropping off old and used electronics at designated collection points in Education City.

The bins, located in Multaqa (Education City Student Center), the Penrose House (LAS Building), and Lulu Express at housing lot 4, are part of Qatar Foundation’s (QF) e-waste drive, which – launched in October and set to run until the end of December – is being held in collaboration with Al Haya Waste Management & Projects Company.

Items that can be deposited include desktop computers, laptops, monitors, printer and copier toners, cartridges, keyboards, televisions, scanners, audio-video equipment, mobiles, telephones, and microwaves.

However, air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, and florescent lamps will not be accepted.

This year marks the second annual e-waste drive at QF. Aisha Ghani, Environment Specialist, Health, Safety, Security & Environment Directorate, QF, said: “Last year, the campaign lasted seven days. This year, we are delighted to have extended it to three months.

“We decided to lengthen the campaign because of the overwhelmingly positive response we received last year, with more than 4.5 tons of e-waste collected in just seven days. Ultimately, we aim to make these bins semi-permanent features.”

Once the electronics are collected, categorized, and packed at the Al Haya facility, they are then shipped to a special recycling factory in Singapore.

Once received by the recycling center – Cimelia – they are broken down and separated, into materials such as plastic, copper, and aluminum, sent to other factories and made into new products.

“E-waste is a growing global problem, and 2019 set a record for the most amount of e-waste generated worldwide. This is a huge concern, as electronics can contain hazardous materials, and – if not discarded correctly – can contaminate water sources and damage the environment,” Ghani said.

“This is a nationwide recycling drive. We are trying to lead by example and encourage the nation to take a stand. And it is especially timely this week with Qatar Sustainability Week taking place.”

“We decided to lengthen the campaign because of the overwhelmingly positive response we received last year, with more than 4.5 tons of e-waste collected in just seven days. Ultimately, we aim to make these bins semi-permanent features.”

Once the electronics are collected, categorized, and packed at the Al Haya facility, they are then shipped to a special recycling factory in Singapore.

Once received by the recycling center – Cimelia – they are broken down and separated, into materials such as plastic, copper, and aluminum, sent to other factories and made into new products.

“E-waste is a growing global problem, and 2019 set a record for the most amount of e-waste generated worldwide. This is a huge concern, as electronics can contain hazardous materials, and – if not discarded correctly – can contaminate water sources and damage the environment,” Ghani said.

“This is a nationwide recycling drive. We are trying to lead by example and encourage the nation to take a stand. And it is especially timely this week with Qatar Sustainability Week taking place.”

“We decided to lengthen the campaign because of the overwhelmingly positive response we received last year, with more than 4.5 tons of e-waste collected in just seven days. Ultimately, we aim to make these bins semi-permanent features.”

Once the electronics are collected, categorized, and packed at the Al Haya facility, they are then shipped to a special recycling factory in Singapore.

Once received by the recycling center – Cimelia – they are broken down and separated, into materials such as plastic, copper, and aluminum, sent to other factories and made into new products.

“E-waste is a growing global problem, and 2019 set a record for the most amount of e-waste generated worldwide. This is a huge concern, as electronics can contain hazardous materials, and – if not discarded correctly – can contaminate water sources and damage the environment,” Ghani said.

“This is a nationwide recycling drive. We are trying to lead by example and encourage the nation to take a stand. And it is especially timely this week with Qatar Sustainability Week taking place.”

Source: thepeninsulaqatar