A conference on electronic waste was held at Gimnazjum Samorządowe No. 2 in Bolesławiec. It was organized by students in cooperation with the Fundacja Miejsc i Ludzi Aktywnych from Kraków.

The ceremony was opened by Szymon Głogowski, a teacher and the conference organizer. There were 80 people in the room, mainly students from GS 2 as well as SP 3, SP 4, GS 1 and I LO. The meeting focused on electronic waste and ways of managing it.

The first presentation was given by Szymon Głogowski, regional coordinator of the “Schools for Sustainable Development” program at the Stowarzyszenie Aktywności Społecznej TREK. Głogowski spoke about the international environmental certificate “Green Flag” and the Bolesławiec schools that hold it. A school that conducts active environmental education can obtain this certificate. A film entitled “The Story of Stuff” was then shown. It explained that most manufactured goods have a negative impact on the natural environment—not only ours, but that of the entire world.

Then, GS 2 students presented a plan for an electronic-waste campaign for the 2012/13 school year. Subsequent presentations explained what electronic waste is, its impact on the environment, and its rational use according to the 3R principle (Reduce-Reuse-Recycle – reduce purchases, reuse, recycle). A computer was also dismantled for the conference, and the materials from which it was made were discussed using it as an example. The speakers paid particular attention to the toxicity of certain components, which have a harmful impact on the environment.

Participants also learned about the benefits and financial consequences of the new waste-disposal law. During group work, they calculated that if the school segregated its waste, it could save up to PLN 5,000 a year. The students had many original ideas for using this amount, but the question is whether they will be consistent enough in sorting waste.

One of the conference guests was Piotr Tutak from the Miejski Zakład Gospodarki Komunalnej, who spoke about the processes and technologies used to process electronic waste, particularly televisions, washing machines and household appliances. Tutak also familiarized the participants with the activities of his company.

The conference marked the launch of a campaign that will be conducted by GS 2 students throughout the city. The campaign will be promoted by spots prepared by third-year students [jeden z nich prezentujemy powyżej – przyp. ii], in which the mafia makes it clear that electronic waste should be taken to a collection point. And who wants to mess with the mafia?

GS 2 is the only school in Lower Silesia to qualify for the “Electronic Waste” project.

(information: Eko-reporters from GS 2/ii)