Globe Telecoms launched last Friday, August 22, the biggest mobile recycling program in the Philippines to create awareness on proper electronic waste (e-waste) disposal and help counter its harmful effects on health and the environment.
“Project 1 Phone”, Globe Telecoms expects its 45 million subscribers nationwide to suppoprt the campaign. “Obsolete and discarded electronic and electrical devices which we call e-waste often end up in landfills and incinerators, causing toxic metals to be released into the air nd seep into the ground and waterways. In fact, studies show that one single nickel cadmium battery hasthe potential to pollute up to 600,000 liters of water if not disposed off properly,” said Yoly Crisanto, SVP, Globe Corporate Communications.
She also added : “Globe is helping address this problem through Project 1 which espouses correct disposal of e-waste, in this case mobile phons, tablets, chargers, and batteries to prevent health problems and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is also one way to concretize the company’s commitment to sustainability.”
According to a report by the United Nations Environment Programme entitled “Recycling – from e-waste resources,” the amount of e-waste being produced globally could rise by as much as 500 percent over the next decade. On the other hand, DoSomething.Org reported that about 20 million to 50 million metric tons of e-waste are disposed worldwide every year with only 12.5 percent ing recycled.
Responsible recycling is identified as the most effective solution to the growing e-waste problem. Most electronic devices sch as old phones yield precious metals such as gold, silver, copper, and palladium as well plastics which can be recovered for re-manufactured. Less energy is also used in recycling than mining virgin metals and producing virgin plastics.
For the campaign’s initial run, Globe will put up recycle bins in 21 Globe stores from various pasrts of the country. The list can be seen at http://www.globe.com.ph/globebridgecom
Schools, Corporations, Local Government units, and other private and non-government organization are also being encouraged to participate in the program by adopting recycle bins. Interested prties may email Globe at bridgecom@globe.com.ph.
Project 1 Phone is Globe Telecoms’ second nationwide mobile recycling campaign after the iRecover, iRecycle Program conducted in 2011.
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