PLC Gampaha hosts mega E-Waste Collection Day

The Gampaha branch of People’s Leasing Company PLC (PLC) in partnership with the Ceylon Waste Management Company Limited, initiated a mega E-Waste Collection and Responsible Disposal Day in Gampaha recently at the PLC branch premises. The event saw the support and attendance from the Green Forest Association, a local environmental institute.

Head of the Gampaha branch Nandana Weerakkody and the branch team hosted the three-day programme, with an awareness program targeted for school children, corporates, Government institutions, customers and the community in the Gampaha area.

Chairman/Managing Director of Ceylon Waste Management Limited Sudesh Nandasiri; Executive Director of the Green Forest Association Harendra Yasas; Chief Medical/Health Officer of the area Mervin de Silva, members of PLC corporate management, teachers and 30 students from three neighbouring schools and officers from Gampaha Urban Council participated at the green event under the theme “Way forward for a cleaner and greener environment”. Research stated that Sri Lanka disposes a daily volume of 6,500 tons of waste out of which 10-15 per cent accounts for electronic waste. Nandasiri made detailed presentations on the types of e-waste and the importance of recycling electronic waste.

“Radiation emitting substances and chemicals in e-waste contaminate the soil. Added to this is the accumulation of non-degradable plastic waste,” said Nandasiri. He stated that the Ceylon Waste Management Company was an electronic waste collection company endorsed by the Central Environmental Authority. The company also issues the BASEL VII document which certifies 100% recycling of e-waste.

He urged school children participating to think seriously about the responsible disposal of e-waste and to take the message to their friends, family and the community they live in. The presentation was followed by a question and answer session to further educate the participants on the subject.  

Yasas highlighted the problem caused by e-waste collectors that extract valuable parts and dump remaining parts into water bodies, polluting the environment. He went on to further reinstate how crucial and timely it is to preserve the environment. The presentation included enlightening pictorial display boards and information on the scenic beauty of eco systems in Sri Lanka to further instill strong environmental values among participants.

Participants also visited the Siddartha Kumara Vidyalaya of Gampaha where the Gampaha branch of PLC presented 100 planting pots to the model agricultural farm that is maintained at the school premises with limited resources.

“Thanks to my team and support from all stakeholders we were able to see the completion of a successful green day by PLC Gampaha. If we look after the environment, in turn the environment will look after us,” stated Weerakkody.