The city government’s continuing information and education drive on proper waste disposal is reaping gains as more residents are complying with the “segregate, reduce, re-use” policy.
The City Environment and Parks Management Office – Waste Water and Hazardous Waste Management Division (CEPMO-WHWMD), said at least 913.3 kilograms of electronic waste (e-waste) were brought to the Bakakeng Central Treatment Storage and Disposal-Materials Recovery Facility (TSD-MRF) in January alone.
“Proper management of our wastes is the simplest contribution we can give the Earth. This is one thing that will not just benefit us but the generations after us,” Mayor Benjamin Magalong said in an interview Tuesday.
He also ordered the strict observance of proper waste segregation, reduction and recycling, as well as the proper disposal of hazardous and e-waste.
The measure was also part of the “pansa-nopen tayo” (Let’s Gather, Conserve, and Renew) program launched in January last year as the city’s comprehensive, indigenous-rooted, circular economy program aimed at promoting waste-to-resource transformation, plastic reduction, and community-driven sustainability. It focuses on fostering green jobs and reducing landfill waste through initiatives like food upcycling and improved recycling.
When the city government established the Bakakeng Central materials recovery facility (MRF) in 2023, it also started receiving e-waste from residents. It also mounted an information campaign on the matter for residents and different academic institutions.
Aileen Refuerzo, city chief information officer, said e-waste collections were done in the barangays, in academic venues and during the ecological waste management and sustainability fair at Malcolm Square last Jan. 25.
The first haul from Holyghost extension reached 157 kg; 87.8 kg from Bakakeng Central, 13.8 kg from Campo Filipino, 26.1 kg from Middle Quirino Hill and 23 kg from Bayan Park.
Additional collections were 89.3 kg from the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) booth; 92 kg from barangays St. Joseph, DPS, 58.4 kg; Bakakeng Central, 38.1 kg; and Sto. Rosario 12.6 kg.
Among the collected e-waste items were keyboards, laptops, vintage cassette stereos and power banks.
The University of the Philippines (UP) Baguio community also surrendered a total of 150.7 kg; 64.4 kg from Barangay Andres Bonifacio; 27.6 kg from Barangay Upper General Luna and 4 kg from Barangay Bakakeng Central.
At least 1.335 metric tons of e-waste, including cathode ray tubes, LCD/LED screens, LED Lights, lamps and batteries were transported by Globaltect Waste Management — an authorized treatment, storage and disposal facility in Marilao, Bulacan.
“These collaborative efforts done by the city, academic institutions and the community show that the City Government of Baguio continues to support the protection of the environment and proper waste management and continues to set a high standard,” Magalong said. (PNA)