During the E-waste Race, 10 primary schools in Apeldoorn will take on electronic waste. Over four weeks, awareness-raising about circularity is combined with a collection campaign. This way, children learn about the environmental impact of electronic waste and what they themselves can do to reduce it. Alderman Danny Huizer opened the E-waste Race on Monday 27 May at the primary school in Beekbergen.
Ten primary schools from Apeldoorn will spend four weeks working with old and broken electronic devices (also known as e-waste). During the E-waste Race, children will learn in an instructive and interactive way about topics such as consumerism, resource scarcity, reuse and recycling. They also learn about whether or not to buy a new appliance. How do you make your choices in this?
After a guest lesson by an expert, the students are ready to actually do their bit to make the Netherlands more circular. In the coming weeks, they will do so by handing in as many reusable and repairable appliances as possible to the circular craft centre Foenix or by having them repaired at a local Repair Cafe. They can also vlog about the concept of ‘consuming’ or about sharing electrical appliances.
Valuable lessons
Alderman Danny Huizer (Sustainability, Climate and Energy) opened the E-waste Race on Monday at group 8 of OBS Beekbergen. ‘Every time it is great to see how fascinated the children listen to the enthusiastic E-waste experts. It is incredible that the average Dutch family has 90 electrical and electronic appliances in the house. We often leave broken appliances and old phones in a drawer. While they still contain so many valuable raw materials. I think it is great that this initiative does something about this. With these valuable lessons, children learn early on to do their bit for a better world.’
Will you hand in a device?
Broken electronic devices will be collected by students from participating schools. You can offer your small broken electronics on the E-waste Race website. This website also provides more information and conditions. Pupils will collect the items from your home. Up to 95% of the parts of the collected appliances are reused! Take part and contribute to a better environment.
The E-waste Race Apeldoorn takes place from 3 June to 27 June. The race is an initiative of the Municipality of Apeldoorn, Circulus and Foenix. They ensure that the collected e-waste is reused via the recycling shop or ends up at renowned recyclers.
Photo by Peter Lous.