Baguio collects over 224 kilos of electronic waste

BAGUIO CITY — The Wastewater and Hazardous Waste Management Division (WHWMD) of the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) collected 224.8 kilograms of Waste Electronic Electrical Equipment (WEEE) from barangays and a school, and transported them to the Bakakeng Central Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).

Bakakeng Central MRF Pollution Control Officer Engr. Ronaldo Ballecer reported that 4.6 kilograms of e-waste were turned over on September 27 at Aurora Hill Bayan Community Park from residents of Asin and Holy Ghost Extension.

Another 120.8 kilograms were collected on October 3 at Burnham-Legarda-Kisad barangay, followed by 5.5 kilograms on October 4 at Quezon Hill Proper.

Items turned in by households included rice cookers, wires, desk fans, printers, steamers, power banks, laptops, toothbrushes, cords, adapters, cables, coffee makers, switches, roasters, washing machines, motor parts, flat irons, stereo cassette decks, microwave ovens and electric kettles.

At the University of the Philippines Baguio, a dedicated bin was emptied, producing 224 pieces of e-waste weighing 93.9 kilograms.

These included calculators, disinfectors, hairbrushes, heaters, power supplies, transistor radios, electric fans, air purifiers, CCTV units, chargers, Wi-Fi devices, mosquito killers, electric stoves, motherboards, speakers, UPS units and earphones.

Collected materials undergo sorting, treatment and proper disposal.

Authorities warned that improper disposal of e-waste can release toxic metals such as cadmium, lead and mercury into soil, air and water, leading to respiratory, neurological and reproductive health issues.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong, CEPMO head Atty. Rhenan Diwas and assistant head Engr. Marivic Empizo continue to encourage residents to donate electronic waste to the Bakakeng Central MRF.

The current WEEE drop-off schedule and venues are:

• Cabinet Hill–Teachers Camp barangay hall, Monday mornings
• Burnham–Legarda barangay hall, every last Saturday of the month
• BGH Compound Youth Center, Thursdays, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Bayan Park Village, Aurora Hill, Saturdays, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Salud Mitra barangay basketball court, every first Monday
• Dontogan barangay hall, every Thursday
• Lourdes Subdivision Extension multi-purpose hall, every third Friday

• Kabayanihan barangay hall, every last Thursday

Bins have also been requested by Mines View Park, St. Joseph, Sto. Rosario, Camp Allen, Sto. Niño/Slaughterhouse, East Quirino Hill, Bayan Park Village, Military Cut-off, San Luis, New Lucban, East Modern Site and Holy Ghost Extension.