E-waste (electrical waste) is an inexclusive term circumscribing various forms of electrical and electronic equipment that are old, end-of-life electronic appliances and have ceased to be of any value to their owners.It includes computers, mobile phones, televisions, radios, cameras, refrigerators, washing machines and batteries.
But the question is not how many of these you can have, but where many of these go once you don't need them anymore. Hence the term 'e-waste'.
The United Nations Environment Programme estimates that nearly 50 million tonnes of e-waste are disposed of each year worldwide, and up to five per cent ends up in landfills.
According to the Department of Recreation, Parks and Recreation (JASTRE) of the Ministry of Development, a 2005 survey on solid waste in Brunei Darussalam showed that e-waste contributes to only one per cent, while food waste was 36 per cent; paper 18 per cent and plastic 16 per cent. This survey was done at the Sg Akar Landfill.
As small as this figure may be, it is still an important concern to everyone.
However, many of the Bruneians who were interviewed by the Bulletin were oblivious to the word 'e-waste', and after much explanation were unaware of the danger it has on the public and the environment.
"I could imagine how seriously dangerous it could be, but I wouldn't know the full extent," said 27-year old YJ, a golf enthusiast. "I have seen TV programmes about e-waste and electrical recycling news, but it didn't register to be of any importance personally. I haven't thrown out any of my computers yet, but all my old and used printer ink cartridges go straight into the bin."
This comes as no surprise as the awareness of e-waste in Brunei is practically non-existent. The most common response to what they've done with their old computers are that 'keep it in storage... just in case we might need it someday', and the idea of either giving it away or recycling it is unheard of.
"My first computer was a birthday present when I was 12; it was a 486-66MHz with 8mb RAM, and cost $3,500 at the time! I played games on it until it broke down," shared Keeran Janin, 25, Director of Expansys Technologies. "I have honestly gone through more than 15 since then. On average, I use a computer for about a year. Personally, I keep them, as they still could be used in some way. When I'm done, I normally salvage useful parts to make other systems. But when it does come to throwing them away, it's always been the old fashioned way... to the dump. I had no idea there was an alternative.
"There need to be a government body which regulates the handling of hazardous material," he continues. "Things like computer monitors, empty printer toner packs and printer cartridges all contain really harmful chemicals. Most people will throw these into the normal dustbin when they're done with them. In which case, they are destined for the landfills, which means these chemicals will eventually end up in our environment."
According to JASTRE, Brunei has no specific e-waste legislation yet, but the department has drafted an "Environmental Law", which is still in the pipeline.
However, JASTRE advised Bruneians not to throw their e-waste at the Sg Akar Landfill, but instead send them to recycling companies such as Daikyo Environmental Recycling Sdn Bhd in Serasa, or scrap metal yards such as AMCOM Jaya in Kg Bebatik Kilanas, or return the goods back to the company, which would then sell them to either of these places.
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