Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology

Department of Chemical Engineering

E-WASTE MANAGEMENT: AN ASSESSMENT OF

IMPLEMENTING PRACTICES IN SELECTED
ENGINEERING UNIVERSITIES
OF METRO MANILA
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in
METHODS OF RESEARCH

Submitted by:
BAOAS, CHRISTINE B.
DIONISIO, CHARLES AMIEL P.
MADRIAL, ANDREA COLEEN E.
SIM, TRISTAN JAMES G.

Submitted to:
ENGR. MILAGROS R. CABANGON

August 2016

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

Table of Contents
Chapter I
Background of the Study
Statement of the Problem
Objectives
Significance of the Study
Definition of Terms
Scope and Limitation
Chapter II
Review of Related Literature
Review of Related Studies
Chapter III
Research Design
Research Methods
Research Participants
Data Collection
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Appendix
References

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Electronic waste, colloquially known as e-waste, is a combination of used and undesired
electronic products that have become obsolete and exceeded their shelf life. E-waste is a growing
and emerging waste stream that covers a large variety of electrical or electronic products (UNU,
2015). The growth in the consumption of electrical and electronic equipment in the last few
decades has been exponential. According to Uson (2012), this is mainly attributed to the: (1)
increasing global population, (2) rising consumers dependence on technology, and consequently,
(3) unwavering upgrading of electronics by manufacturers. The resulting effect of such an
unprecedented consumption and rapid decrease in the shelf life of many electronic devices is the
increase in the amount of e-waste generated, and likewise the rising concern regarding its
disposal.
In the Philippines, the most common e-wastes are cellular phones, computers, laptops,
and appliances such as televisions and refrigerators. In a recycling study done by the Japan
International Corporation Agency (JICA), there were about 18 million kg of surplus televisions,
2 million kg of surplus refrigerators, 0.54 million kg of surplus personal computer sets and parts,
and some undocumented kg of brand new cellphone batteries introduced in the country during
2004-2006 based on importation alone, with Japan and Korea being the largest importers (JICA,
2008). In another study, a relationship seems to have been established between the rising amount
of scrap electronics with the Philippines being one of the worlds heavy users of the Internet
(Alam, 2016). Electronics manufacturers introduce many new products in the market annually,
hence accelerating the process of replacing old models. The best way to account for the e-waste
generation is to gather information and prepare baseline data of total e-waste accumulated from
different regions. Forecasting of e-waste generation can be done once data are regularly
monitored (UNU, 2015).

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
Local initiatives to alleviate the e-waste stream have focused more on collection and
recycling/reusing old electronics (Carisma, 2009). In the context of the campus, UP Circuit,
University of the Philippines-Dilimans (UPD) recognized organization of electrical and
electronics engineering (ECE) students, has come up with the E-waste Project which aims to
encourage the recycling and proper e-waste disposal (Brizuela, 2013). The collected materials
are sold to Envirocycle Inc., a waste management company based in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. UP
Circuit has also partnered with concerned organizations of De La Salle University, UP Manila,
Mapua Institute of Technology, Philippine Normal University, and St. Scholasticas College.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

E-waste has become a concern because of the nature of its composition and production.
Aside from the difficulty in quantifying the particular waste stream, e-waste should not simply be
disposed of like any other common waste. Improper identification and treatment of e-waste poses
risks to both the environment and public health. Despite the mandate of law to properly
recognize electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) as a separate kind of waste stream, some
higher education institutes (HEIs) still do not possess appropriate e-waste management
procedures due to specific barriers or challenges that the current study endeavors to seek. One of
the root problems that HEIs face is the lack of legislative frameworks that address the generation
of e-waste in their respective jurisdictions.

OBJECTIVES
A. General Objective
The main objective of this study is to evaluate the implementing policies and
practices on electronic waste management in selected universities of Metro Manila.

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
B. Specific Objectives
1. To identify the electronic waste management procedures in each university and
how they are implemented and practiced.
a. To identify pertinent university

policies

that

govern

e-waste

management and other legislative frameworks that need to be

understood.
b. To identify key actors involved in campus e-waste management.
c. To describe the pathway of e-waste in the campus by employing simple
mass flow charts.
2. To assess current implementing practices by conducting interviews and surveys
among stakeholders.
3. To determine and discuss e-waste management challenges or barriers among the
educational institutions.
4. To recommend e-waste management policy frameworks or practices (action plan)
to non-practicing universities.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Roughly 40 million metric tons of electronic wastes are produced globally each year,
and about 13 percent of that waste is recycled mostly in developing countries according to
the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and it notes that this estimate of waste
is likely too low.
To the Health Sector
The significance of assessing the awareness regarding electronic waste recycling
practices is magnified when speaking of public health risks. Proper handling, disposal, and
recycling of electronic waste would significantly reduce cases of acute heavy metal poisoning.
For example, primary and secondary exposure to toxic metals, such as lead, results mainly from
open-air burning used to retrieve valuable components such as gold. Combustion from burning ewaste creates fine particulate matter, which is linked to pulmonary and cardiovascular disease.
Therefore assessing the hindrances on proper electronic waste disposal will help academic

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
institutions in coming up with a program that will lessen the health risks of improperly disposed
e-waste such as lead poisoning, destruction of the nervous system and other diseases.
Electronic equipment contains many hazardous metallic contaminants such as lead,
cadmium, and beryllium and brominated flame-retardants. The fraction including iron, copper,
aluminum, gold, and other metals in e-waste is over 60%, while plastics account for about 30%
and the hazardous pollutants comprise only about 2.70%. Of many toxic heavy metals, lead is the
most widely used in electronic devices for various purposes, resulting in a variety of health
hazards due to environmental contamination.
Informal recycling markets in China, India, Pakistan, Vietnam, and the Philippines
handle anywhere from 50 percent to 80 percent of this e-waste, often shredding, burning,
and dismantling the products in "backyards." Emissions from these recycling practices are
damaging human health and the environment. Lead enters biological systems via food, water,
air, and soil. Children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning more so than adults because
they absorb more lead from their environment and their nervous system and blood get affected.
To the Country
The problem of generation of e-waste has become even more complex to deal with
due to the importation of secondhand and scrap electronics from some of the developed
countries. Therefore, the Philippines has e-wastes from two sourceslocally generated ewaste that comes from the obsolete models discarded by the end-users and foreign e-waste
that comprises end-of-life products or products that have been disposed of by developed
countries and exported to the Philippines (Gutierrez, 2010). In addition to this, developing
countries like the Philippines with rapidly growing economies handle e-waste from
developed countries, and from their own internal consumers. The UNEP estimates that
between 2007 and 2020, domestic television e-waste will double, computer e-waste will
increase five times, and cell phones 18 times.

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
Assessing the key concepts of e-waste management and the relationships between the
economic impact of e-waste and its negative effects on the country will serve as a base for better
environmental and socially friendly practices for e-waste management.
To the Academe
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources launched the National
Search for Eco-friendly school in relation to the Republic Act 9512 or the Environmental
and Natural Education Act of 2008 in order to encourage academic institutions to become
more actively involved in environmental issues and to develop skills and understanding
among the students, faculty and school administrators in initiating active responses and
increasing community awareness and participation on environmental concerns.
The assessment of the awareness of selected universities in Metro Manila regarding
electronic waste management promotes awareness, education and potentially a proactive
response. The study will be beneficial to the academic institutions in such a way that the
faculties, staff, and the students will be educated in the proper disposal of e-waste that will help
in reducing environmental and health risks of such waste.

DEFINITION OF TERMS
Electronic Waste (e-waste) may be defined as discarded computers, office electronic
equipment,

entertainment

device electronics, mobile

phones,

television

sets,

and refrigerators. This includes used electronics which are destined for reuse, resale,
salvage, recycling, or disposal.
Practicing university an institution or a university which adopts, implements, and
regulates policies or practices pertaining to proper management and disposal of
electronic wastes.
Non-practicing university an institution or university that has no specific policy
or practice pertaining to proper management and disposal of electronic wastes.

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
Policy - A definite course or method of action selected (by government, institution,
group or individual) from among alternatives and in the light of given conditions to
guide and, usually, to determine present and future decisions.
Practice Actual application of a policy or a certain course of action that is carried
out habitually or regularly
Informal processing/Informal recycling of electronics occurs when computers and
other electronics are taken apart by individuals who do not use proper health and
safety precautions and therefore place themselves as well as their surrounding
environment in danger through exposure to unsafe materials and chemicals (acids,
mercury, lead, toxic fumes, etc.). The toxicities of materials within an electronic
product are not the only hazards with informal recycling. The acids used to extract
materials, toxic or non-toxic, can often have the greatest environmental impact.
Recycling in terms of electronics, recycling refers to the process of material recovery
(metals, glass, plastics, etc.) and reducing the amount of virgin materials used in a
product.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global
environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the
coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development
within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the
global environment.
Hazardous waste is a waste with properties that make it potentially dangerous or
harmful to human health or the environment. The universe of hazardous wastes is
large and diverse. Hazardous wastes can be liquids, solids, or contained gases. They
can be the by-products of manufacturing processes, discarded used materials, or
discarded unused commercial products, such as cleaning fluids (solvents) or
pesticide.
Sustainability/Sustainable Development means meeting the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Heavy metals like gold, copper, platinum, palladium, and silver are very conductive
materials/metals used in electronics that can be recovered from e-waste. Some means of

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
separation or extraction of these heavy metals are detrimental both to public health and
the environment.

SCOPE AND LIMITATION

The study focuses on e-waste management in selected universities in Metro Manila,
specifically, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Universidad de Manila, Technological
University of the Philippines, Mapua Institute of Technology, Adamson University, and De La
Salle University. This study will only be dealing with the existing policies and programs of the ewaste management regardless of when such policies or programs were issued.
With respect to the nature of electronic paraphernalia, no particular kind of e-waste is will
be studied, given the variety and complexity of e-waste stream with the constraint of unavailable
inventories.
With regard to the management of e-waste, the authors recognize that there may be a host
of policies, frameworks, and methods dealing with e-waste that are implemented in different
jurisdictions.

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 Electronic Waste (E-Waste)
According to Adrian, et al. (2014), the one global definition of e-waste is:
E-waste is a term used to cover items of all types of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE)
and its parts that have been discarded by the owner as waste without the intention of re-use.
And electrical and electronic equipment is defined as:
Any household or business item with circuitry or electrical components with power or battery
supply.
Some of the most common electrical and electronic equipment televisions, laptops,
central processing units (CPUs) and the like. Electronic waste raises concern because many
electronic devices contain numerous heavy elements which pose danger to human health or the
environment (Salem Press Encyclopedia, 2015). Such toxic elements include lead, mercury, and
chromium (Luther, 2009). Electrical products which contains heavy metal like cadmium, lead,
copper, and chromium that pollutes the environment is considered an e-waste.
E-waste was not recognized as a separate waste stream until the early twenty-first
century. If an electronic device began to malfunction or stopped working, it would be repaired.
By the late twentieth century, however, electronic devices such as computers, microwave ovens,

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
televisions, and cell phones had become common and comparatively inexpensive. The cost of
repairing a broken device was often comparable to the cost of simply replacing it (Salem Press
Encyclopedia, 2015).

2.2 E-Waste Management

The usage and discarding of e-waste is now being systematized and practiced through ewaste management. E-waste is not to be simply thrown in regular trash but to be recycled or
properly disposed by qualified individual or by a recycling company.
Because of rapid technological advancement, former models of EEE are now being
discarded at a considerable rate. This is creating both - opportunities and challenges for e-waste
management (Williams, Hieronymi, Kahhat, 2013).

2.3 Classifications of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE)

The United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability
(UNU-IAS, 2015) classifies EEE into the following categories:
Category
Temperature exchange equipment
(cooling and freezing equipment)
Screens and monitors

Lamps

Examples
Refrigerators,

freezers,

air

conditioners, heat pumps

Televisions,

monitors,

laptops,

notebooks, tablets
Straight
fluorescent,

compact

fluorescent,

intensity

fluorescent,

discharge, LED

high

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
Washing machines, clothes dryers,
Large equipment

dishwashing machines, electric stoves, large

printing

machines,

copying

equipment,

photovoltaic panels
Microwaves,
ventilation

vacuum

cleaners,

equipment, toasters, electric

kettles, electric shavers, scales, calculators,

Small equipment

radio sets, video cameras, electrical and

electronic

toys,

small

electrical

and

electronic tools, small medical devices,

small monitoring and control instruments
Small IT and telecommunication
equipment

Mobile

phones,

GPS,

pocket

calculators, routers, personal computers,

printers, telephones, USBs

2.4 Electronic Waste Management in the Philippines

Republic Act No. 6969 (Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control
of 1990). As of this writing, there exists no special law for the management of e-waste (Carisma,
2009; Alegre, Borcena, 2011). However, e-waste management is mandated by Republic Act (RA)
6969: Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control of 1990 to control imports,
production, processes, handling, storage, transfer, trade, distribution, usage and discarding of
chemical substances and mixtures in the Philippines which also includes the access, transfer,
storing and disposing of hazardous and nuclear wastes into the country for whatever reason and
purpose.
DAO Administrative Order No. 22, Series of 2013 (Revising DAO 2004-36). The
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) classifies e-waste as Waste from
Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) according to the DENR Procedural Manual for

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
Hazardous Waste Management. It is defined to include all WEEE that contain hazardous
components such as lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, prolybrominated biphenyls
(PBBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) that include its peripherals (i.e., ink catridges,
toners, etc.). WEEE is designated by waste number M506 (M stands for Miscellaneous Waste)
[DENR, 2013].
DAO Administrative Order No. 28, Series of 1994. The DENR has also established its
Administrative Order No. 28, Series of 1994: The Interim Guidelines on the Importation of
Recyclable Materials Containing Hazardous Substances stipulating that these interim guidelines
shall apply to prospective importers intending to import recyclable materials containing
hazardous substances after 14 March 1994. In the context of these guidelines, a recyclable
material is any material which is reused, following its original use, for any purpose of
commercial, industrial, agricultural or economic value. One of these recyclable materials are
electronic assemblies and scraps.
Republic Act No. 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000). Discarded
electronics are also considered under the special waste category of Republic Act No. 9003, or
the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. The act is a general law that aims to reduce
and properly manage solid waste in the Philippines, identifies the local government units
designated to collect and handle special wastes, and to identify current and proposed programs to
ensure proper handling, reuse, and long-term disposal of such.
Pending DAO Administrative Order on WEEE. Recently, the DENR Environmental
Quality Division-Hazardous Waste Management Section held a public consultation on August
23, 2016 in order to solicit inputs and comments from different stakeholders on the draft
guidelines on the Environmentally Sound Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment. The pending guidelines will finally mandate the management of wastes classified
under M506 (WEEE) and M507 (Special Wastes) of DAO 2013-22. (1) To provide the
framework mechanism for the appropriate management of WEEE, and (2) to encourage
involvement of all relevant agencies and stakeholders in the life cycle of EEE through design

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
innovation leading to their more efficient dismantling, recycling, and reuse are some of the
objectives of the proposed guidelines which is expected to be approved on December 2016.

Fig. 1. Hierarchy of legal frameworks for the management of e-waste in the Philippines
Basel Convention on the
Control of Transboundary
Basel
Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal

Convention
Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear
Waste Control of 1990

RA 6969

Revised Procedures and Standards for the

DAO

2013-22
Management of Hazardous Wastes

DAO

1994-28
Materials Containing Hazardous Substances

Interim Guidelines on the Importation of Recyclable

Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of

2000

RA 9003

on the Environmentally Sound Management of

Pending Guidelines
DAO
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
20XX-NO

C. Engineering Universities Promoting E-Waste Management

Local universities such as the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) is now
practicing e-waste management. In 2013, UP Circuit, University of the Philippines-Dilimans
(UPD) recognized organization of electrical and electronics engineering (ECE) students, has
come up with the E-waste Project which aims to encourage the recycling and proper e-waste
disposal (Brizuela, 2013). UP Circuit has also partnered with concerned organizations of De La

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
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Salle University, UP Manila, Mapua Institute of Technology, Philippine Normal University, and
St. Scholasticas College.
Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT) is a known engineering university inside
Intramuros. MIT promotes and practices waste segregation and recycling including e-waste as
response to obtain an ISO 14001 certification or Environmental Management System
certification.
At the De La Salle University (DLSU), all waste disposal policies implemented by all La
Sallian schools are governed by their Modern Conduct of Schools Facilities and Environment
Programs Management, which is a thick volume of all general guidelines a La Sallian school
must abide. E-waste policies are covered under the section called Regulatory Compliance which
dictates that disposal of e-waste must be legally compliant, that is, it shall comply with all
national (e.g., RA 6969) and local laws, regulations, or ordinances.

REVIEW OF RELATED STUDIES

Individuals must be informed that there are no comprehensive and definitive studies of
total e-waste generation accounted for in each country or region. Bald et al. (2015) of the
United Nations University comments on their study in the Global E-Waste Monitor that many
studies have touched major aspects of e-waste such as pollution, toxicity, recycling technologies,
and best policies for the disposal considerations of this waste stream. Nevertheless, there exists
no standard measurement method for all countries. Because of fast technological innovation,
estimated quantities made by former studies are either obsolete or focused only on a particular
region, which varies in e-waste definitions and methodologies and hence cannot be compared
with others.
Ballesteros et al. (2016) study entitled E-waste recycling processes in Indonesia, the
Philippines, and Vietnam: A case study of cathode ray tube TVs and monitors, two types of
recycling are (1) formal recycling and (2) informal recycling. In formal recycling, e-wastes are
sent to Treatment, Storage, and Disposal (TSD) facilities in the Philippines. As of January 2011,

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
there were 119 registered TSD facilities in the country, but only 23 of them were engaged in
handling e-waste. Universities that practice e-waste management send the waste to TSD facilities
such as Envirocycle, Inc. Informal recycling involves the participation of more than 2,300
registered and unregistered junkshops which operate in Metro Manila alone. No data are
available on many junkshops handle e-waste. Simple mass flow charts are also modeled after the
diagrams found in this study.
Efforts have been made to focus e-waste management innovations on a smaller scale.
Gamaralalage and Premakumara (2016) of the Institute for Global Strategies (IGES) emphasizes
the importance of development and regulation of efficient e-waste management systems at the
local level. In their study entitled Development of E-waste Management Policy at the Local
Level, a policy report was endeavored to review the experience of Cebu City in establishing an ewaste management system in cooperation with Japanese partners. It has thoroughly investigated
the current status of e-waste management in Cebu City, key barriers, and has also recommended
policies for local legislators, which is almost identical the current study but on a different scale.
An even smaller scale has been the subject of Meneses and Galita (2015) study entitled
Electronic Waste (E-Waste) Management at Selected Colleges of the Bulacan State University:
Perspectives for Program Development. Awareness in the campus has been the driving force of
this study, which outlined the complex issues that surround e-waste, its negative effects due to
improper disposal, and policy recommendations for an effective e-waste management system in
the university. This paper also ascertained how higher education institutions should step up from
research to education to action in managing their electronic paraphernalia.
The notable challenges or barriers the researchers may encounter among educational
institutions are laid out by Chibunna et al. (2012) in a study entitled The Challenges of E-waste
Management among Institutions: A Case Study of UKM. By employing interviews and surveys
as two of the instruments pertinent in data-gathering among a selected stakeholder population in
the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), the key challenges were then identified. Some of
the barriers are; inefficient data management, equipment classifications, low awareness on ewaste, collection and disposal problems, lack of specific regulations and policy on end-of-life

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
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electrical and electronics equipment (e-waste) management, and malpractices within the
university. A university may be committed towards the well-being of the ecosystem as well as
enhancing the sustainability of its natural and built environments through management, research,
development, and sustainable practices of communities within and outside the campus by some
lay down principles yet still be unaware of the dangers brought by the e-waste stream because its
identification is fairly new and is still assumed as part of the solid waste stream.
One of the objectives of this study is to provide for action or recommendation plan for
universities that do not possess appropriate waste management procedures. As a basis for
forming such plans, the researchers have found Japan International Cooperation Agencys study
entitled The Study on Recycling Industry Development in the Republic of the Philippines to be a
reliable model.

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY

I.

RESEARCH FRAMEWORK

A. Design
Research design a logical sequence that connects the empirical data to a studys
initial research questions and, ultimately, to its conclusions (Yin, 2003). To answer the
proposed problem in Chapter I, this study will employ a four-part methodology. First,
secondary research done by doing a desk review of e-waste management in the
Philippines gave the researchers a valuable perspective and context of the problem.
Second, the researchers will identify gaps, problematic areas, or key areas where
improvement in the university can or should be made. Third, primary data from the
stakeholders will be obtained through distribution of questionnaires and by employing
structured interviews with people of recognized authority. Fourth, (1) a comparison and
analysis of the gathered data against existing national or international laws on the
management of e-waste will be done on practicing universities, and (2) policy
recommendations will be made for non-practicing universities.

B. Research Method
The exploratory study used secondary research employing a qualitative
methodology. Secondary research was done through desk review. Desk review is a
recognized form of research method that involves an intensive literature search, review,
and synthesis of all relevant documents concerning the topic of research (Uson, 2012).
Among the documents which have been analyzed and have produced valuable

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
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information to this research were theses, research journals, policy statements and
legislation, memorandums, etc.

C. Research Participants
This descriptive study will be conducted among selected engineering universities
in Metro Manila namely, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), Universidad de
Manila (UDM), Technological University of the Philippines (TUP), Mapua Institute of
Technology (MIT), De La Salle University (DLSU), and Adamson University (AdU).
Information such as policies and programs and inventory of e-waste generation will be
gathered from the duly-recognized department which concerns the wastes disposal.
Other information may be obtained from informal interviews and the researchers
personal observations.

D. Data Collection
In particular, this study is cross-sectional in nature, that is, the analysis of data is
based only upon the period of time in which such data were gathered. Aside from the
secondary information obtained from the desk review, the researchers are planning to
employ a (1) one-on-one structured and standardized e-waste questionnaire and (2) a set
of interview questions for choice persons.

E. Statistical Treatment
To determine the population to be surveyed, Slovins formula is employed with an
allowable 5% margin of error.
n=

N
N
=
2
1+ N e 1+ N ( 0.05 )2

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
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II.

E-WASTE ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY

E-waste management must achieve different objectives which go beyond pure
technical implementation. This is important most especially in developing countries
like the Philippines which may lack a legal and institutional framework since e-waste
management demands for a comprehensive and structured approach (UNEP, 2012).
For the assessment in the university, which is a recalibration of a country assessment,
this study will adopt a three-step approach:

1. Performing an assessment in order to understand the current framework

conditions of governing national laws, including a review of the current
policies, a stakeholder assessment, a general massflow assessment, and if
possible, an environmental impact assessment.
2. Developing a structured strategy in a multi-stakeholder approach, that is,
identifying key persons in the following sectors: (1) Policy & Legislation, (2)
Business & Finance, (3) Technology & Skills, (4) Monitoring & Control and
(5) Marketing & Awareness.
3. Implementing the strategy through a blueprint/roadmap with corresponding
responsibilities and a timeframe.
In this study, only the first step will be exhibited, with the corresponding
process flow in Fig. 2. Generally, the first step of an e-waste assessment consists in
defining the organizational setup of the study (UNEP, 2012). This involves
identifying the local stakeholder(s) who are the beneficiaries of the results of this
study and who will take ownership of the e-waste problem in the university.

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
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Fig. 2. Structured outcome of the e-waste management assessment in the university

University
Policies
/Legislations
The
university's
legal
framework
needs to be
understood by
collecting
information
related to
policies and
legislations
specific or
related to ewaste

Stakeholders
Assessment

Simple Mass
Flow Charts

The purpose of the

stakeholder
assessment is to
identify the actors
involved and in
their role in the
university e-waste
management
system by
explaining (1)
who they are, (2)
what their role is,
(3) how they are
organized, and (4)
what may be their
impact on e-waste
management

The mass flow

chart is a way
to describe
and, if
possible,
quantify the
flow of ewaste in the
specific
campus

A. Policies & Legislation

Before an assessment of the practices can be carried out, the researchers must
identify the policies of the university that specifically influence e-waste management.
Environmental legislations on air, water, and solid waste management may also
impart particular directives on the handling of e-waste. Possible questions that should
be resolved are the following:

How is the policy enforced?

What are the measures the university uses?
What are some important programs they implement?
Is e-waste a priority?

B. Stakeholders Assessment
As stated recently, assessment of the stakeholders is usually the first step in the ewaste management assessment ladder. The purpose of stakeholders assessment is to

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
define the actors involved and their role in the e-waste management system (UNEP,
2012). To characterize the stakeholders, one must know the responses to the
following questions:

Who are they?

What is their role/activity?
How are they organized?
What is their impact on e-waste management?
What is their respective strategy and what are the main obstacles they
perceive?

In this study, the specific stakeholders are narrowed down into the school
administration, particularly individuals in the sanitary and sustainability
departments. The policies that prompt these particular departments to act on ewaste management come from the higher administrative departments, who can be
sought for by invitations for a formal interview.
C. Simple Mass Flow Charts
To visualize how e-wastes go downstream in the campus, mass flow charts
will be employed. Mass flow system charts show graphically how the e-waste flows
circulation between different actors (UNEP, 2012). The actors may be defined as the
stakeholders.

SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE

Date:

Location:

Interviewer:

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

Interview introduction
I am . (name of interviewer) coming from .
We are collecting data on e-waste management and assessment in order to fulfill the
objectives of our study.
Can we ask you some questions about e-waste? Thank you for your eager participation.

1.1

Are you aware about the environmental hazards caused by discarded electronic

1.2

equipment? Enhance replies with comments, details, suggestions, etc.

Are you aware that some hazardous fractions in e-waste need a special treatment in order
to be safely disposed of? Enhance replies with comments, details, suggestions, etc.

1.3

Do you have a waste management, specifically electronic waste, program that is being
implemented in your university?
a. If yes, what are the policies and practices being implemented?
I. Do these policies and practices conform to that of the standard policies of the
Philippines?
II. How do you dispose the collected electronic waste?
b. If no, what are the contributing factors as to why there are no policies implemented?
I. Are there proposals of programs or policies on electronic waste management?

1.4

Does the university keep inventories of the electric and electronic equipment it
discards/stores? Enhance replies with comments, details, suggestions, etc.

1.5

Are you aware of what happens to the equipment you have discarded? Enhance replies
with comments, details, suggestions, etc.

1.6

From your point of view, what are the main obstacles for a proper e-waste treatment?
(e.g. costs, lack of infrastructure and/or policy within the university, absence of recycling
solutions, absence of collection system, etc.) Enhance replies with comments, details,
suggestions, etc.

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
1.7

Is the university ISO 14001 certified? (ISO 14001 is an international environmental

certification)

D. Assessment of Practices
It can also be possible that the particular educational institution does enforce ewaste management policies yet handlers or collectors may not abide by them. Also,
the university may practice e-waste disposal methods but such procedures may be

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
inconsistent with existing national laws. To determine if any of these are present
within the institution, a survey form specifically designed for handlers or collectors
--generally the people in the actual disposal field --- will be administered to gather
data for the assessment of e-waste management practices.

Questionnaire for University Utility Workers (Janitors)

School:

Location:

Respondent
Name

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
Specific Job
Contact number

Policy Awareness
YES

NO

1.1

Do you have any

policy/ies or practice/s
pertaining to proper
handling and disposal
of electronic wastes? If
yes, please state the
policy/ies

1.2

Please state the

mechanism of the
policy/ies practiced in
brief

______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________

1.3

Which part of the

university government
body is responsible for
the implementation of
the policy/ies?

______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________

1.4

Please identify any

factor that contributes
to the effective practice
of the policy/ies

_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________

Administration's activity
Students' participation
Utility workers' participation
Not labor intensive
Others (please specify)
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______

Handling

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

How strict is/are the

practice/s of e-waste
management being
followed

Not at all strict

Seldomly followed
Fairly followed
Strict
Very Strict

1.2

Is the handling of
electronic waste labor
intensive?

Not at all intensive

Seldomly intensive
Fairly intensive
Intensive
Very Intensive

1.3

Do you have a specific

storage exclusive for
electronic waste? If
yes, please specify
the details, otherwise
write N/A

1.1

1.4

How is the electronic

waste disposed?

______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________

Segregated (special waste)

Given to private recyclers
Given to informal recyclers
Others (please specify)
______________________________________________
______________________________________________

Electronic Waste

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering

1.1

1.2

Rank from 1st to 4th,

with 1st being the
highest generator of
electronic waste in the
university

The majority of the

electronic waste
collected are?

School offices
engineering laboratories
other laboratories
school cafeteria

I wish to add more options (kindly explain

in brief)
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________

Broken appliances/parts
Broken electronic gadgets/parts
Electrical components
Electronic components
Others (please specify)
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________

Awareness
YES,
1.1

Are you aware that

electronic waste must be
managed and handled
properly?

I am fully aware
I am fairly aware
I am not
particularly aware

NO

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
YES,

1.2

Are you aware that

electronic wastes may
pose risks to public
health?

I am fully aware
I am fairly aware
I am not
particularly aware

REFERENCES

NO

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
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Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

College of Engineering and Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering
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