All In 2026: The E-Waste Project Continues to Step Up for a Sustainable Future!

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): It has become more imperative to bridge the gap between device production and electronic waste (e-waste) management as technology continues to shape the future. The accumulation of improperly disposed materials and devices, combined with escalating environmental degradation, imposes health risks from toxic wastes and destabilizes the economy through pollution, resource loss, and climate shifts. To initiate change and address the increasing consequences of the e-waste crisis, The E-Waste Project (TEP) began an advocacy to raise awareness and promote proper e-waste management in the Philippines.

The E-Waste Project is an initiative spearheaded by UP Circuit, an academic organization based in the Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute of UP Diliman. For its 14th iteration, TEP extended its efforts to advocate development without compromising the environment by integrating the theme of “STEPping Up: Advancing E-Waste Solutions for a Sustainable Digital Future” in TEP Month and the Electronics Sustainability Convention (ESCON). 

TEP Month is a month-long series of events conducted throughout July, with the 2026 initiative beginning through TEP Caravan’s return to FEU Institute of Technology on July 1. TEPTalks, the main kick-off event, was a live webinar with Engr. Wilssie Sanchez and Engr. Samantha Valdez on “Finding Invisible Value: Urban Mining for E-Waste,” broadcast via Facebook Live and Zoom on July 6. Following these informative discussions, TEP reopened its e-waste donation storage on July 22, 23, 25, and July 29 to 31 for the annual Weeklong Collection Drive. All collected and sorted e-waste donations were transferred to TEP’s official partner recyclers for proper disposal. 

To further expand the advocacy, TEP organized the second iteration of ESCON from August 29 to 30. The first day included the Symposium Talks with prominent speakers, Mr. Renato Mabilin and Atty. Renee Co, and the Roundtable Discussion facilitated by Ms. Melissa Cardenas and Mr. Clarence Dela Cruz. On the second day, Mr. Denvert Pangayao and Mr. Darwin Macalla joined the Symposium Talks, along with the commencement and awarding of the Pitch Competition and the 3D E-Waste Upcycling Competition. 

ESCON’s highlight event, the Pitch Competition, involved live brainstorming and presentations of innovative solutions to a case docket on the e-waste crisis. Team BeBOTS of Paco Catholic School was recognized as 2026’s Champion among the five official participating groups. The two-day event also showcased free-standing sculptures from the 3D E-Waste Upcycling Competition in an Innovation Gallery. Among all the entries, the artwork entitled “E-nitiate” by PCS Autobots received significant recognition from both the judges and the public for the creative and unique interpretation of TEP Month’s theme.

From an advocacy that began with efforts to kindle change to a transformative movement for communities, The E-Waste Project continues to demonstrate how student-led initiatives can drive meaningful environmental action. With its mission to promote better e-waste management, encourage responsible disposal practices, and foster collaborative change, TEP remains committed to building a more sustainable digital future— one step at a time. 

Courtesy: www.manilastandard.net