GEMS Education has launched an e-waste collection campaign in 16 of its schools to mark World Environment Day.

GEMS has partnered with Dubai based company, Enviroserve.

Each of the participating schools collected hundreds of used electronic items including: computers, laptops, mobile phones, digital cameras, printers, scanners through their collection centres in the school campus.

Enviroserve, which specializes in e-waste management solutions, will recondition, where possible, the collected electronic items or send them to accredited refineries overseas. The three schools that collect the largest amount of e-waste will receive prizes and a recognition plaque from Enviroserve.

Research indicates that e-waste is growing at three times the rate of other municipal waste. According to a report by the International Association of Electronics Recyclers, only five per cent of the generated e-waste is recycled in the Middle East.

“Through the e-waste collection campaign, our objective is to build awareness among our students and parents about the hazards of e-waste, and encourage them to dispose of it responsibly,” stated Servee Palmans, director – School Operations at GEMS Education.

A drawing competition for the design of the recycling bins, which will store the discarded items in schools, is currently underway and the best three designs will win prizes.-TradeArabia News Service