Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology

Department of Chemical Engineering

E-WASTE MANAGEMENT: EXISTING

POLICIES AND PROGRAMS IN THE
UNIVERSITIES OF INTRAMUROS FOR
ACADEMIC YEAR 2015-2016

METHODS OF RESEARCH

SUBMITTED BY:
BAOAS, CHRISTINE B.
MADRIAL, ANDREA COLEEN E.
SIM, TRISTAN JAMES G.

SUBMITTED TO:
ENGR. MILAGROS R. CABANGON

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
INTRODUCTION
Electronic waste, colloquially known as e-waste, is a combination of used
and undesired electronic products that have become obsolete and exceeded
their shelf life. E-waste is a growing and emerging waste stream that covers a
large variety of electrical or electronic products (United Nations University,
2014). The difficulty in managing e-wastes lies in the significant differences in
toxic levels among the products in the waste stream.
Bald et al. (2015) estimated that the total amount of e-waste
accumulated globally in 2014 was 41.8 million metric tonnes (Mt). It is projected
that the number will rise to 50 Mt by 2018. This e-waste is comprised of 1.0 Mt
of lamps, 6.3 Mt of screens, 3.0 Mt of small IT (e.g., mobile phones, personal
computers, etc.), 12.8 Mt of small equipment (e.g., vacuum cleaners,
microwaves, toasters, etc.), 11.8 Mt of large equipment (e.g., washing machines,
electric stoves, etc.) and 7.0 Mt of cooling and freezing equipment (temperature
exchange equipment).
From former assessments, it is still unclear precisely how much e-waste is
generated and collected in each country and region. Available data are either
outdated or impossible to compare across countries due to different e-waste
definitions, product scopes, and evaluation methods.
In the Philippines, the most common e-waste pollutants are cellular
phones, computers, and laptops. In fact, a relationship seems to have been
established between the rising amount of scrap electronics with the Philippines
being one of the worlds heavy users of the Internet (Alam, 2016). Electronics
manufacturers introduce many new products in the market annually, hence
accelerating the process of replacing old models. Nevertheless, Alam also states
that there is insufficient data regarding the true value and extent of e-waste
generation in the country as any official inventory is unavailable (Carisma,
2009). The best way to account for the e-waste generation is to gather
information and prepare baseline data of total e-waste accumulated from
different regions. Forecasting of e-waste generation can be done once data are
regularly monitored.
Local initiatives to alleviate the e-waste stream have focused more on
collection and recycling/reusing old electronics (Carisma, 2009). In 2013, UP
Circuit, University of the Philippines-Dilimans (UPD) recognized organization of
electrical and electronics engineering (ECE) students, has come up with the Ewaste Project which aims to encourage the recycling and proper e-waste
disposal (Brizuela, 2013). The collected materials are sold to Envirocycle Inc., a
waste management company based in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. UP Circuit has also
partnered with concerned organizations of De La Salle University, UP Manila,
Mapua Institute of Technology, Philippine Normal University, and St.
Scholasticas College.

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
As some have echoed consistently in past studies, to date, no known
studies have been done to estimate e-waste generation and disposition in the
Philippines (Peralta, Fontanos, 2006). Even more so, few studies have been
endeavored to account for the e-waste management programs in Philippine
universities. There is no recent definitive study that explores where electronic
devices go downstream inside campus premises, the attitudes of the faculty and
staff about e-waste, and the various disposal considerations practiced by the
academic community. Hence, the general problem of the study is to determine
the current protocols of various universities in Intramuros in handling and
disposing electronic waste.

OBJECTIVES
A. General Objective
The main objective of this study is to identify and understand the existing
policies and programs on electronic waste management in the Philippine
campus.
B. Specific Objectives
1. To identify the electronic waste management programs and policies in
the universities around Intramuros, Manila for academic year 2015-2016.
2. To determine the level of awareness of the students and faculty on ewaste management.

SCOPE AND LIMITATION

The study focuses on the e-waste management of the universities inside
Intramuros specifically, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Mapua Institute of
Technology, Lyceum of the Philippines University, and Colegio de San Juan de
Letran. This study will only be dealing with the identification of existing policies
and programs of e-waste management for academic year 2015 to 2016. This
study will survey 50 respondents per campus and will be analyzing their
responses on how knowledgeable they are about e-waste management.

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Environment
Emission from informal recycling of such products are damaging to the
environment. (McAllister, 2013) The level of awareness of the students and
faculties in each school with regards to electronic waste may lead to the proper
disposal these which will lessen the harmful effects on the environment.

Human Health
Several studies show that the children of Guiyu, China, the largest e-waste
recycling site in the world, experience respiratory ailments and are at risk of
lead poisoning. Having enough knowledge on proper management of electronic
waste may reduce the risk of having such chronic diseases.