E-waste collection point pops up in UiTM, Bertam

KEPALA BATAS: Electronic waste can now be disposed of at the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) campus in Bertam here with a collection kiosk set up by the Environment Department (DOE).

For Saturday (March 19) and Sunday (March 20), a kiosk located at the back of the campus will be open from 9am to 3pm to receive e-waste from the community.

Programme director Dr Mohd Azhar Mohd Noor from the university’s Faculty of Health Sciences said this is the first time the campus is holding such a drive under the Household Electric and Electronic Waste Collection Campaign to encourage proper management of e-waste.

“We accept all forms of e-waste except fluorescent lamps and batteries.

“Those who participate will be given a token of appreciation.

“Our aim is to raise awareness that e-waste should not be simply thrown out with ordinary waste.

“If the response is good, we will consider opening a permanent collection centre,” he said.

Among items brought in were laptops, printers, disc players, toasters and cookers.

Retired lecturer Kamaruddin Arshad, 63, said some of the electronic items he owned had been unused for over 10 years, many broken or outdated.

“Instead of throwing them into the bin, I brought them here.

“We can keep the environment clean and healthy as e-waste should be treated differently from ordinary waste,” he said.