Zain Bahrain, a leading telecoms operator, has announced the winning schools in the first National e-Waste Recycling Competition at a ceremony held at the University of Bahrain (UoB).

The event was held under the patronage of Supreme Council for Environment (SCE), and in the presence of SCE chief executive officer Dr Mohammed bin Mubarak Bin Dayna. Also in attendance were representatives of the Ministry of Education, the University of Bahrain, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and e-waste recycling partner, EnviroServe.

Muharraq Secondary Girls School won the prize for collecting the largest amount of waste (992 kg), while Al Shurooq Secondary Girls School and Ibn Rushd Intermediate Boys School jointly won for promoting the competition in the most creative ways.

The winners were selected by a committee consisting of representatives of Zain Bahrain, the SCE and UNIDO. Prizes of BD1,000 were awarded for each category. The amount of e-waste collected by all the schools weighed a total of four tonnes.

Dr Bin Dayna said: “This campaign promotes a highly worthy cause, namely to increase awareness among students about the subject of e-waste, which has been increasing in volume in recent years, with its disposal creating a burden for society. Modern electronics contain hazardous materials which can contaminate the environment and could even pose a threat to human health if they are not disposed of in the correct manner. E-waste recycling is a good habit for all of us who care about the environment to promote.”

SCE director of international relations and media, Amina Hamad Al Rumaihi added: “The SCE, through its Awareness and Environmental Education Section, has worked hard to make this campaign a success. Among the services that we have offered are lectures and workshops at the participating schools, which have emphasised the right way to dispose of e-waste, for the sake of better environmental sustainability.”

Zain Bahrain corporate communications manager Samya Hussain said: “This competition comes under the corporate sustainability policy adopted by Zain Bahrain, which aims to promote environmental awareness and help reduce pollution in the kingdom.

Zain Bahrain will shortly announce the 2017 competition as part of next year’s activities. – TradeArabia News Service