Student org sets collection sked for junk gadgets

A group of engineering students from the University of the Philippines that collects junk appliances or gadgets for recycling and fund-raising has released its schedule of collection on three campuses in Metro Manila to jump-start the drive this year.

E-Waste Project leader Martha Isabel Dealino said a collection site was put up Tuesday and would accept items until today at Philippine Normal University on Taft Avenue, Manila.

Another collection will be made at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, from Jan. 21 to 24; and then at St. Scholastica’s College Manila, from Jan. 28 to 30.

The group is accepting used gadgets, appliances, computer parts, batteries and ink cartridges also at De La Salle University in Manila, but only by appointment.

Dealino is part of UP Circuit, a university-recognized organization of electrical and electronics engineering students who started the project in August 2012.

The materials collected are sold to Envirocycle Inc., a waste management company based in Sta. Rosa, Laguna province. The proceeds are donated to selected schools.

Funds raised from the 2012 collection were used to set up 11 new workstations at the computer room of Sta. Lucia High School in Novaliches, Quezon City. Caloocan City High School was chosen as the beneficiary of last year’s collection drive.

E-Waste organizers can be reached at 0922-8624513. More details about the campaign are available at www.upcircuit.org/TheEwasteProject. Maricar B. Brizuela