Project title: From Awareness to Action: Analyzing existing e-waste management policies and infrastructure in Barnet

  National selected winner

Next Gen Ninja   Barnet   United Kingdom

E-waste, comprising discarded electronic devices, poses significant environmental and health hazards due to improper disposal methods. Managing and treating e-waste presents several challenges due to its complex nature and various factors involved. Through our research project, we intend to understand the challenges behind the waste generation in the Barnet borough and suggest possible mitigations.
We started to investigate how aware residents are on e-waste, and how it is currently being managed in Barnet. To obtain this data, we conducted a survey to community residents to assess their e-waste knowledge and practices.
– Knowledge: Understanding of e-waste and its potential hazards.
– Practices: Current methods of disposing of e-waste.
– Challenges: Obstacles faced in responsible e-waste disposal.
We also had contact with the local Waste Management Facilities in our area to gain insights into existing infrastructure and challenges about e-waste management.
– Existing infrastructure: Capacity and capabilities for e-waste collection and processing.
– Challenges faced: Operational hurdles and limitations in handling e-waste effectively.
This two-pronged approach allowed us to gather valuable data from both residents and waste management organizations, providing a holistic view of the current situation in Barnet. By understanding the gaps, disposal practices, and existing infrastructure limitations, we can identify areas for improvement in collection and processing infrastructure to bring tangible improvements into e-waste management.

For our experiment, we identified few community residents and sent over a simple questionnaire to them to gain insights into the community’s e-waste knowledge, challenges, their preferences and understand the problem in detail:
1. Are you aware of what e-waste is?
– Yes
– No
2. Are you aware of the potential hazards of improper e-waste disposal?
– Yes
– No
3. Can you find information about responsible e-waste disposal on your local community website?
– Yes
– No
– Sometimes
4. What types of electronic devices do you currently own that are no longer in use?
– Old computers
– Phones
– Appliances
– Others
5. How do you typically dispose of your e-waste?
– Throw it away with regular trash
– Donate
– Sell
– Recycle
– Follow correct e-waste management practices
As per the response, while a significant number of people are aware of e-waste, it’s impacts on the environment, there are very few people who get information from the Barnet website on how to manage e-waste. The rapid pace of technological advancement has led to frequent device updates, and hence generating a constant influx of new e-waste with different compositions and functionalities.
We also had a contact from a local waste management facility and got to know that, out of only 29% of the waste they treat, very little percentage is from the e-waste. This is because of inefficient and unaccessible collection systems across diverse communities, especially in remote areas or with limited resources. Dedicated facilities with specialized equipment and trained personnel are also limited for safe and effective processing. Lack of infrastructure in developing countries often leads to informal and hazardous practices. Moreover, smaller devices with more components in tighter spaces, make dismantling and extracting valuable materials more intricate.

E-waste is a challenge not only for one community, rather for the whole earth. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach involving collaboration between governments, industries, communities, and individuals. By raising awareness, developing sustainable e-waste management systems, and promoting responsible behavior changes, we can collectively minimize the environmental impact of this growing waste stream.
An AI-powered ‘interactive’ chatbot (text, speech, multilingual) to scan information from Barnet council website, 24/7 summarize and respond to residents’ queries on e-waste quickly and accurately, in human language of choice, to help them making informed choices
Disposing of e-waste responsibly is perceived as inconvenient compared to simply throwing it away. Hence, activating comprehensive recycling programs (curbside, shops, malls, surgery etc.) to work as drop-off centers for e-waste items can encourage participation
Incentivizing people to follow sustainable practices and recycling programs can increase participation.
Governments to initiate comprehensive and effective e-waste legislation, along with a strong enforcement process. Shifting the responsibility for end-of-life management to manufacturers can help in short term
Many individuals lack awareness about the dangers of improper e-waste disposal and the available responsible options. Few educational program, in association with NGOs and local community and schools, can help to promote responsible e-waste management practices
We strongly believe that if we leverage these solutions such as leveraging the power of AI, spreading awareness and disposing of electronic waste responsibly using sustainable waste practices, we could improve the local community and in the long-term, the whole earth into being more sustainable through successfully and responsibly disposing electronic waste.

Climate-Detectives-2023-24-1.pdf

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