AIS, a giant telecom operator, is spurring public awareness of the campaign to help Thailand properly address its growing electronic waste.
The Thailand without E-Waste Campaign, a collaboration of more than 40 leading organizations in all sectors of the country, places e-waste bins at convenient locations for people to drop their unwanted electronic devices. E-waste in the bins are then collected and disposed in an eco-friendly way.
“We have jumped on this bandwagon because we care about the environment and sustainability,” AIS chief executive officer Somchai Lertsutiwong said earlier this month to mark the World Environment Day. Among the many convenient locations are AIS branches.
E-waste bins welcome no-longer-used mobile phones, tablets, batteries, power banks, charging cables, headphones, digital cameras and MP3 players, etc.
Somchai was speaking as lockdown restrictions, which were imposed in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak, eased considerably.
Recognising that more people are now stepping out of their home, AIS hopes they will bring out their e-waste and dispose it at any of the campaign’s designated spots.
Launched late last year, this initiative has collected nearly 50,000 discarded electronic gadgets in its first seven months. The proper collection and disposal have curbed carbon-dioxide emissions by nearly 500,000 kilograms.
AIS is actively promoting the initiative with aim to raise public awareness of the campaign and strengthen Thailand’s fight against e-waste problems. Given that electronic devices become increasingly popular among Thais, it is necessary that the Thai public is well aware of threats associated e-waste and knows how to deal with them.
Without proper disposal, discarded electronic devices threaten both the environment and public health.
Statistics show COVID-19 outbreak has driven up demand for electronic devices, as an increasing number of people have shifted towards work-from-home mode and a huge number of children have been instructed to study online. Mobile-phone internet usage has increased by 11.14 per cent ever since the new coronavirus spread in the country.
“We believe the proper separation and disposal of e-waste constitute a proactive approach to prevent environmental problems in the long run,” Somchai added.
The United Nations has designated June 5 as the World Environment Day to raise global awareness of the need to protect the environment.
The Thailand without E-Waste campaign rolls out as several organisations such as AIS and Central Department Store show their environmental care.
