Baguio: More than 200 kilograms of electronic wastes (e-wastes) collected in this city over the past two weeks are now subject for disposal as part of efforts to protect the environment. “A total of 224.8 kilograms of Waste Electronic Electrical Equipment (WEEE) from the barangays and a school were brought to the Bakakeng Central Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) of the city for proper disposal,” Engr. Ronaldo Ballecer, pollution control officer of Bakakeng Central MRF, said on Tuesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the e-wastes were collected from the last week of September to the first week of October. Ballecer reported that 4.6 kilos of e-wastes were collected from Bayan Park in Aurora Hill; 120.8 kilos from Barangay Burnham-Legarda, and 5.5 kilos from Barangay Quezon Hill Proper. The collected items included assorted wires, a rice cooker, desk fan, printer, steamer, power bank, laptop, toothbrush, cord, adapter, cables, coffee maker, switch, turbo, roaster, washing machine, motor parts, flat iron, stereo cassette deck, microwave, and electric kettle.

Meanwhile, the bin at the University of the Philippines Baguio campus yielded 224 items weighing 93.9 kilograms. These were composed of calculators, disinfectors, hairbrushes, heaters, transistor radios, electric fans, air purifiers, CCTV units, chargers, mosquito killers, electric stoves, motherboards, speakers, and earphones, among others.

Ballecer stated that the e-wastes will undergo sorting, treatment, and proper disposal. He emphasized, “Improper disposal of e-wastes results in the release of heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, and mercury into the soil and water, or of toxic gases into the air when burned.”