Presentation

What did the PAEC consist of and what was its purpose?

The PAEC project (Program for Classroom, School, and Community) aimed to turn schools into open, collaborative spaces. It brought together teachers, students, and administrators to address environmental issues, especially the management of electronic waste (e-waste).

Components of the PAEC Project

Environmental Education: Educational programs were implemented to raise students' awareness about the importance of recycling and the proper disposal of electronic waste.

Active Recycling: Collection points for electronic waste were established in schools, which facilitated recycling and prevented pollution.

Community Participation: The involvement of parents, teachers, and students in waste management activities was encouraged, which created a sense of shared responsibility.

Purpose in the Electronic Waste School

Awareness of Waste: The PAEC aimed to increase awareness regarding the separation of solid waste, particularly in the realm of electronic waste.

Environmental Impact: The goal was to reduce pollution caused by electronic waste by educating the community about its negative effects on the environment.

Promotion of Sustainable Practices: The project encouraged sustainable practices within the school and fostered a cultural shift towards environmental care.

Consequences on health and the environment

Health and Environmental Consequences of Electronic Waste

Health Consequences of Electronic Waste.

Electronic waste can cause serious health problems, including neurological damage, reproductive issues, and cancer. This is due to exposure to toxic substances present in the components of electronic devices.

Toxic Components.

Some toxic components that can cause harm include:

- Lead: Can cause neurological damage, especially in children.

- Mercury: Affects the central nervous system and kidneys.

- Cadmium: Can cause reproductive disorders and even infertility.

- Chromium: Has been shown to cause cancer.

- Lithium: Can cause respiratory failure, damage to the nervous system, and digestive disorders.

- Vinyl chloride (PVC): These are chemical substances that are highly persistent in the environment and toxic even at very low concentrations.

Environmental consequences of electronic waste: 

E-waste polluted the environment in several ways, including:

Water Pollution: Heavy metals and toxic substances seeped into the water and contaminated rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Soil Pollution: Metals and toxic compounds leached into the soil and contaminated flora and fauna.

Air Pollution: The incineration of e-waste released heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury into the atmosphere.

Ecosystem Imbalances: E-waste emitted gases into the atmosphere that caused ecosystem imbalances.

Depletion of Natural Resources: Manufacturing electronic products required large amounts of water, land, and rock.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The manufacturing of electronic products generated CO2 emissions.

Waste classification for good care

Electronic Waste Classification for Environmental Care

1. Batteries

Were collected separately to prevent toxic leaks. Many centers recycled them to recover valuable materials.

2. Mobile Phones and Tablets

Should have been donated if still functional. If broken, they were taken to certified e-waste facilities.

3. Computers and Laptops

Could be reused or refurbished. Some people threw them away, but they were later recycled properly.

4. Cables and Chargers

Had to be sorted before disposal. Recycling plants melted the metals to create new products.

5. Televisions and Monitors

Should not have been dumped in landfills. They were often collected during special recycling events.

6. Printers and Scanners

Could have been donated to schools or charities. If not functional, they were dismantled for parts.

7. Small Appliances (e.g., toasters, microwaves)

Were often disposed of improperly. They were taken to electronic waste centers.

Statistics

You asked what things are did, forbade, avoided in electronic waste.

Did they burnt electronic devices?

Did they ban its use?

We didn’t do nothing, on the contrary we hurt the world.

In 2024 the world generated 62 million of tons of electronic waste

China : 10.129Kt With a recycling rate of 16%

EE.UU: 6.918Kt With a recycling rate of 15%

India: 3.230Kt With a recycling rate of 1% 

Germany:1.607Kt With a recycling rate of 52%

 

United Kingdom : 1.598Kt With a recycling rate of 57%

Last year's results with images

Students and the general public brought their electronic waste, such as computers, cellphones, cables, televisions, blenders, etc., to the CBTis 107 institution, where the collection point had been located.