A Stellenbosch University (SU) organisation established an electronic waste (e-waste) collection initiative in an attempt to raise awareness and encourage people to recycle e-waste.
This was according to Khia van der Meulen, a member of United Nations Association of South Africa’s (UNASA) sustainable development goals (SDG) committee, and creator of the project.
The e-waste collection ran from 31 July to 3 August, according to UNASA’s instagram account.
(From left to right) Members of Stellenbosch University’s United Nations Association of South Africa (UNASA) sustainable development goals (SDG) committee Khia van der Meulen, Kelly Thurtell, and Zama Mnisi. UNASA recently hosted an electronic waste (e-waste) collection initiative to encourage people to recycle their electronic waste. PHOTO: Hannah Theron
E-waste in Stellenbosch
Through the project, they collected over 50 old batteries, 10 power cords and a lamp, said Van der Meulen.
The e-waste will be given over to the environmental sustainability team at SU’s facilities management division who will recycle it for UNASA, explained Van der Meulen.
E-waste consists of old electronic devices that are no longer being used, such as gaming controllers, batteries, earphones, plug adapters and more, said Van der Meulen.
SU turns the e-waste over to a registered waste management company that can legally strip and recycle electronic waste, according to Taariq Fakier, conversation and waste management specialist at SU.
“It is important to recycle e-waste and to dispose of it correctly because it can degrade and harm the natural environment,” said Tegan Gibaud, the sustainability executive of the SDG committee.
Electronic waste (e-waste) consists of outdated electronic gadgets that are no longer in use, said Khia van der Meulen, a member of the Stellenbosch University’s United Nations Association of South Africa’s sustainable development goals committee and creator of the e-waste collection project. PHOTO: Hannah Theron
Creating awareness
One of the main challenges in recycling e-waste is encouraging people to do it, according to Gibaud. People find it inconvenient and feel like it is easier to just throw it away, she added.
“Awareness [plays] a big part when it comes to encouraging individuals and communities to recycle their own electronic waste,” said Gibaud.
At SU, there are e-waste bins located on campus where students can dispose of their e-waste and it will then be recycled, said Van der Meulen.
“If you have a few [dead] batteries, instead of chucking them away, wait until you’re on campus and then throw it [in the e-waste bin],” stated Van der Meulen.
UNASA plans to do more projects like this in the future, according to Van der Meulen.
At Stellenbosch University (SU), students can dispose of their electronic waste (e-waste) at numerous yellow bins placed all around the campus, said Khia van der Meulen, a member of SU’s United Nations Association of South Africa’s sustainable development goals committee, and creator of the project. PHOTO: Hannah Theron