My Starfish Foundation - The 'We' Double 'E'
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The 'We' Double 'E'

Environmental Protection

The title of this project, “The ‘WE’ Double ‘E’” is derived from the short form “WEEE” of Waste from Electrical and Electronic devices which is also known as e-waste. E-waste is any abandoned product that has a battery or socket and contains harmful and poisonous materials like mercury that can seriously endanger both human and environmental health (Geneva Environment Network, 2023). E-waste contains toxic substances, including mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium, and flame retardants, which can harm DNA, cause preterm delivery, skin disorders, hearing loss, dizziness, and shortness of breath, as well as male reproductive and genital abnormalities. The risk of cancer, liver damage, and kidney damage can increase when toxins from untreated e-waste pollute soil, water, and the atmosphere (E-Waste & its Negative Effects on the Environment, 2019). In Malaysia, a total of 280,000 tonnes, or 8.8 kg of electronic garbage per person, were created. E-waste generation in Malaysia is projected to rise as the country moves from a middle-high to high-income status, but the rate of recycling e-waste is lower than the generation of e-waste (E-Waste in Malaysia, 2023). The main idea of this project is to give back to the environment and protect natural resources. For that, the chosen community is the residents of Taman Pantai Sepang Putra, Kampung Bagan Lalang, Taman Sri Bayu and Taman Sri Sungai Pelek. The purpose is to improve their knowledge, attitude, and practice toward e-waste handling and expose them to proper e-waste disposal. The residents are unaware of proper e-waste disposal methods. My project team is initiating an awareness program to give them ideas and knowledge about the importance of the environment by collaborating with  Tan Boon Ming Sdn. Bhd. The reason for choosing residential people is that they are one of the potential contributors to e-waste;Upgrading to newer electronic devices more frequently than necessary,Disposing of old or broken electronics improperly,Not recycling electronic waste properly.

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University/College
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
RM 1,027.00
Goal: RM 907.00
Fund Approved by MSF: RM 1,000.00

Overview of Issue / Background

The title of this project, “The ‘WE’ Double ‘E’” is derived from the short form “WEEE” of Waste from Electrical and Electronic devices which is also known as e-waste. E-waste is any abandoned product that has a battery or socket and contains harmful and poisonous materials like mercury that can seriously endanger both human and environmental health (Geneva Environment Network, 2023). E-waste contains toxic substances, including mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium, and flame retardants, which can harm DNA, cause preterm delivery, skin disorders, hearing loss, dizziness, and shortness of breath, as well as male reproductive and genital abnormalities. The risk of cancer, liver damage, and kidney damage can increase when toxins from untreated e-waste pollute soil, water, and the atmosphere (E-Waste & its Negative Effects on the Environment, 2019). In Malaysia, a total of 280,000 tonnes, or 8.8 kg of electronic garbage per person, were created. E-waste generation in Malaysia is projected to rise as the country moves from a middle-high to high-income status, but the rate of recycling e-waste is lower than the generation of e-waste (E-Waste in Malaysia, 2023). The main idea of this project is to give back to the environment and protect natural resources. For that, the chosen community is the residents of Taman Pantai Sepang Putra, Kampung Bagan Lalang, Taman Sri Bayu and Taman Sri Sungai Pelek. The purpose is to improve their knowledge, attitude, and practice toward e-waste handling and expose them to proper e-waste disposal. The residents are unaware of proper e-waste disposal methods. My project team is initiating an awareness program to give them ideas and knowledge about the importance of the environment by collaborating with  Tan Boon Ming Sdn. Bhd. The reason for choosing residential people is that they are one of the potential contributors to e-waste;

  • Upgrading to newer electronic devices more frequently than necessary,
  • Disposing of old or broken electronics improperly,
  • Not recycling electronic waste properly.

Project Objectives (Vision & Mission)

Vision:

To create a sustainable and resilient future by empowering communities and individuals to actively engage in environmental conservation.

Mission:

Education and Awareness: We will conduct extensive research and develop educational content to inform the public about environmental challenges, such as climate change, deforestation, and pollution. We will use various mediums, including online platforms, workshops, and community events, to reach a wide audience and inspire them to take action.

Project Details (Activities and Tasks)

  • This awareness program will be held at Seri Melati Recycling Center specifically for the residents.
  • Residents are encouraged to bring their e-waste to the program.
  • The program involves collaboration with Tzu Chi to conduct an awareness program on proper e-waste disposal.
  • A video presentation on e-waste, its effect on the environment if we fail to do proper disposal, and ways to manage the e-waste to give the residents a clear and better view of e-waste generation and disposal.
  • Awareness talk on e-waste generation and management by the invited speaker, an expert in waste management. 
  • Conduct activities related to e-waste disposal, such as a demonstration of proper e-waste disposal where the residents can learn about categories, types of e-waste, and how to dispose of it.
  • Introducing the “E-waste” app created by the project team. 
  • Pop quizzes are conducted to know the level of knowledge of the residents of Taman Seri Melati on e-waste.
  • Pre and post-survey identify their attitude and practice on e-waste management and instill awareness on proper e-waste disposal among residents of Taman Seri Melati.

Expected Project Result & Outcomes

  • The residents of Taman Pantai Sepang Putra, Kampung Bagan Lalang, Taman Sri Bayu, and Taman Sri Sungai Pelek are to be exposed to recycling education.
  • To promote the idea of e-waste recycling among the residents.
  • The residents are to increase awareness of the importance of a green environment and its sustainability.
  • The residents will be exposed to an app that will be created by the project team on e-waste.
  • Unlike other apps, this app includes thorough information on various kinds of e-waste, proper e-waste separation in homes, suitable e-waste disposal methods, a DOE link where users can find the closest recycling facility and other topics related to e-waste.
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RM 1,027.00

113% of RM907.00 Goal

  21 Supporters
  0 Days Left

Project Information

University name   :   Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
Project leader name   :   THOSINI RATNA A/P MANOHARAN
Facebook link   :   -
Instagram link   :   https://www.instagram.com/weee.e_waste?igsh=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg==
Project implementation date   :   2023-12-02
Location of project held   :   DEWAN KOMUNITI SEPANG PUTRA, PERSIARAN SEPANG TIMUR, PANTAI SEPANG PUTRA, 43950 TANJONG SEPAT, SELANGOR
Beneficiary   :   Residents of Taman Pantai Sepang Putra, Taman Sri Bayu, Kampung Bagan Lalang and Taman Sri Sungai Pelek
Number of beneficiaries   :   34

Section I

a. The project aims to educate the public on the environmental and health hazards associated with improper e-waste disposal, fostering awareness and understanding. By promoting responsible recycling methods and increasing community participation, the project strives to reduce e-waste in landfills, creating a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach to managing electric and electronic waste.

b. In addition to the funds provided by My Starfish Foundation, the financial support from Wholesome Hearts proved invaluable in addressing budgetary challenges. In addition to securing funds from other sources, my team successfully sold food during Environmental Day in our faculty, contributing to our fundraising efforts.

c. The planning process for this project is extensive and pivotal, encompassing task allocation and program implementation. Key activities such as a talk by an invited speaker, the introduction of our e-waste app, and a demonstration of e-waste handling in households are crucial for achieving our objective of educating residents and sharing knowledge.

d. In reality, we encountered various challenges concerning the community, location, and key partnerships, prompting last-minute changes to all three elements. During our search for a community in need, we identified Taman Pantai Sepang Putra. In terms of the budget, we incurred additional expenses for an app expert due to extra features suggested by participants. Fortunately, we managed to offset some costs by reducing expenditures on certain items in the budget.

e. We did not face any language or cultural barriers during communication throughout the program. However, concerning the e-waste app, which was initially created in English, participants suggested the addition of the Malay language. Additionally, the majority of participants are Malay and the atmosphere was very friendly, resembling a close-knit family.

f. The talk by experts resonated well with the participants, particularly during the Question & Answer Session, where their engagement surpassed our expectations. This interaction suggests a higher level of awareness among participants regarding e-waste. In contrast, the demonstration of e-waste handling in households, managed by the project team, encountered challenges in answering some participants' questions, as the team members are not experts in the field, yet they answered some of the questions using the knowledge given in the lecture hall.

g. Even though the participation was lower than anticipated, with only around 30 attendees instead of the expected 50 to 70, the participants expressed gratitude for the knowledge-sharing. They expressed a desire for more awareness programs and suggested collaborating with the key partner to address issues related to e-waste bins in the area.

h. For the long-term impact, the app we developed is actively used by residents, and we continue to enhance its features. Our plans include collaborating with NGOs to provide free e-waste recycling bins for residential areas in upcoming programs. We hope that this project may have the opportunity to be implemented in indigenous people's villages later this year.

 

 

 

Section II

a. i. The project makes significant contributions to happiness both in the short-term and long-term. In the short term, the engagement and positive response from participants during the knowledge-sharing events, such as expert talks and demonstrations, create a sense of community involvement and satisfaction. Despite the lower-than-expected attendance at certain events, participants expressed gratitude for the knowledge shared, indicating an immediate impact on their awareness and understanding of e-waste issues.

In the long term, the development and utilization of the e-waste app play a crucial role in promoting sustainable practices and responsible disposal of electric and electronic devices among residents. By actively using and improving the app over time, the community gains access to a valuable tool that enhances their ability to manage e-waste effectively. This technological solution contributes to a sense of empowerment and control over environmental impact, fostering a long-term positive impact on residents' well-being.

Additionally, the future collaboration with NGOs to provide free e-waste recycling bins for residential areas demonstrates a commitment to sustainable practices that can positively affect the community's overall happiness. The ongoing efforts to address issues related to e-waste bins and extend the project to indigenous people's villages further emphasize a dedication to environmental well-being and community happiness in the long run. Ultimately, the project's holistic approach to education, technology, and community engagement is geared towards creating lasting positive changes that contribute to the happiness and well-being of the residents.

 

a. ii. Absolutely. The process of embarking on this project has profoundly altered my perspective on global e-waste issues, as well as people's awareness and attitudes towards addressing them. Although our participants represent only a small fraction of the world's population, it's both enlightening and encouraging to witness a growing awareness among individuals regarding the depletion of environmental resources and the urgency to address it.

My mindset has transformed as well. It's become evident that people are not just aware of the detrimental effects of e-waste on the environment. Still, they're also increasingly vocal about seeking assistance from authorities to tackle this issue effectively. There's a growing recognition that individual efforts, while important, may not be sufficient, and there's a collective call for government and other relevant institutions to play a more active role in handling e-waste management. This shift reflects a broader acknowledgment of the systemic nature of the problem and the need for coordinated, large-scale solutions.

b. "This project has been immensely valuable as it not only empowered our community with knowledge and tools to address e-waste issues but also fostered a sense of collective responsibility. The most important lesson learned was that small, local initiatives can have a significant impact, and by working together, we can create positive, lasting environmental changes." - [Thosini Ratna]

 

 

 

Section III

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