Postal Dept. to accept electronic waste during National Electronic Waste Management Week from today

The Central Environment Authority and the Postal Department of Sri Lanka jointly has declared the week from 5 to 10 October as the ‘National Electronic Waste Management Week – 2020’, to commemorate the World Postal Day, which falls on 9 October.

During this period of one week, a program to collect electronic wastes covering the entire island is to be implemented, under the theme ‘A Breathing Country, A Sri Lanka; Free of Electronic Waste’, the Central Environment Authority said in a media statement.

In this week, during the period from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., people will get the opportunity to hand-over electronic wastes in their houses to post offices located throughout the island.

Under this program, items other than television sets with disjointed parts, CRT alias cathode ray tubes and computer screens, fluorescence tubes (tube bulbs} and CFL bulbs of which trade names got erased, all other domestic electronic wastes will be accepted.

Disposal of electronic items that are to be collected in this manner, will be done only through institutions that possess licenses issued by the Central Environment Authority to collect electronic wastes and dispose hazardous waste in a proper manner.

These electronic wastes will be split-up into pieces in a safe manner and, those items such as plastics and iron, that could be recycled within Sri Lanka, will be directed for recycling and, balance parts will be exported to countries that possess facilities for relevant re-cycling and disposal functions. These exports will be done complying with international conventions (Basal Convention).

This program is organised to minimise the damage that would be caused to the human beings, animals as well as to the environment. Mobitel and Sri Lanka Telecom are the communication partners of the program.

During last few years, the usage of electronic equipment in Sri Lanka has got increased rapidly day-by-day and, the trend of using of such items is getting enhanced. Correspondingly, the lifespans of electronic items are also getting decreased. Under these circumstances, the quantity of electronic wastes also indicates an upsurge.

As different types of toxic chemicals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, antimony, beryllium, arsenic are contained in all electronic accessories, if these are disposed following informal systems, it would cause harm for the health conditions of the human being as well as for the existence of animals and, also would cause damages to the environment.

Arrangements have been made to have the inaugural ceremony of the ‘National Electronic Waste Management Week – 2020’ on 5 October.