The Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental Management Bureau 11 (DENR-EMB 11) is urging colleges and universities in Davao City to strengthen their systems for managing discarded electronic equipment and other hazardous waste generated on campus.
The call was made during an online environmental learning activity held Thursday titled “Campus Hazardous Waste Management: Responsible Disposal and Regulatory Compliance,” which brought together representatives from various academic institutions in the city.
The activity focused on improving schools’ knowledge and capacity in handling hazardous waste, particularly waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).
DENR-EMB 11 Regional Director Alnulfo Alvarez led the bureau’s efforts to promote greater environmental awareness among academic institutions, noting the increasing amount of electronic waste produced by schools as technology becomes more integral to education, administration, and other campus operations.
Among the common WEEE generated by educational institutions are discarded computers, printers, electronic devices, busted bulbs, and other related equipment, according to DENR-EMB 11.
Engr. Myhrra Fair Llanos, chief of the Finance and Administrative Division of DENR-EMB 11, stressed the importance of complying with government requirements for the proper management of WEEE, which is classified as M506 under DENR Administrative Order No. 2013-22.
The session discussed proper procedures for the handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of hazardous waste. Participants were also briefed on the permits and other regulatory requirements that schools need to secure in managing WEEE.
The bureau emphasized that proper electronic waste management is essential in minimizing risks to human health and protecting the environment from potentially hazardous materials.
DENR-EMB 11 also encouraged colleges and universities to establish and strengthen responsible WEEE management practices on their campuses.
The initiative seeks to ensure that electronic technologies that support learning and school operations are properly managed even after they reach the end of their useful life, preventing them from becoming an additional environmental burden.
