Category Archives: Social responsibility

3 Surprising Facts About Electronics Waste

1. Electronic Waste Can Cause Big Problems With Personal Data Security.

There are many obvious problems withÂ electronic waste, and data security might be the most important overlooked concern. When you discard your old phone or computer in the regular trash, you could be subjecting your personal information to theft by criminal hackers.

Even if the device is broken, bank account numbers, social security numbers, tax documents and more may still be available. To safeguard your personal data, devices should always be recycled, which includes wiping and fully dismantling the technology prior to disposal.

2. Recycling Can Save Precious Metals.

Did you know that cell phones and laptops contain precious metals such as gold and silver? These metals are valuable and reusable if recycled properly. When you recycle your devices, the center will carefully remove these elements and repurpose them to be used in future projects.

Although the recycling process is effective, only about 15% of gold used in technology is ever recovered.

3. Recycling Can Prevent Hazardous Leaching.

Your devices contain much more than plastic and glass inside â€“ they also contain trace elements of hazardous materials such as lead and chromium. In fact, the average color TV screen can contain up to 8 pounds of lead!

When these items are thrown in a landfill, these materials can leak out of the device over time. Eventually, the chemicals make their way into rivers and streams which can negatively impact both people and animals.

Although the situation may sound dire, there is a lot you can do to help, and it all begins with responsible recycling. Before you throw your old device in the trash, consider these facts and contact your local recycling center.

We Are Vaccinated!

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Have you had your Covid19 vaccine yet? I hope you did. Getting vaccinated the soonest possible time protects yourself and the people around you.

Covid19 vaccines will give you an extra layer of protection against the severe effects of the virus.

*Taken at a vaccination site inside a mall in Quezon City*

My family was able to register with the LGU-supported registration site online. We finally got our doses separately a few weeks later.

Hubby, myself, and our daughter are fully vaccinated now. Our son will have his second dose a few days from now. Iâ€™m glad that we were allowed to get the vaccine at the right time. Many are still waiting for their vaccine schedule in our area.

*Taken inside a public school in Quezon City*

Three of us are on the priority list being in the A3 category or those with comorbidities. Health experts said Covid19 vaccines prevent possible hospitalization and emergency room visits due to severe illness.

As for the vaccine side effects, what we experienced were all the common ones. These include pain at the injection site, mild fever (for me), the feeling of weakness or fatigue, and headaches for a couple of days.

Get the available Covid19 vaccine if you are not vaccinated yet. Protect yourself, the people you care about, and those you meet outside your homes.

Even when you are vaccinated, health experts remind the public to observe the minimum health protocol. Wash your hands frequently, wear a face mask, practice social distancing in public or crowded places.

Here at home, we wear face masks when we do not feel well. We do not know what afflicts us, so we wear face masks to be safe. We do not eat together, keep our distance when talking to each other. And we sleep in separate rooms.

Bioengineering

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I’m glad to have stumbled upon this photo posted by DPWH Secretary Mark Villar on his Facebook page in July. The photo showed a segment of Tarlac Pangasinan La Union Expressway (TPLEX).

According to Sec. Villar, coco net, and vetiver grass are being utilized in the 11-km segment of TPLEX to prevent soil erosion. The photo also carries hashtags #BuildBuildBuild and #Bioengineering.

According to Wikipedia, bioengineering means the application of principles of biology and the tools of engineering to create usable, tangible, economically-viable products.

In 2012, we were able to observe how coco nets are developed in Las PiÃ±as. The intricate process includes, drying up coconut halves; decorticating the husks; twining the fibers; finally weaving the net.

The tour at the green social enterprises in Las PiÃ±as was made possible by the Villar Foundation.

Decorticating machine separates coco fibers from coconut husk

Twining and weaving nets from coconut husks are just one of the social enterprises of the foundation. The other livelihood projects include handloom weaving, house waste composting, vermin composting, producing hollow blocks from trash, and crafting baskets from water hyacinths.

The development of these livelihood projects was an offshoot of an endeavor to clean and revive the Las Pinas-Zapote River.

The husks not thrown on the river were left on the sidewalks, and the city had to spend more to haul the garbage. Trash collectors failed to collect sacks of coconut husk, so they end up polluting the river.

Twining the coconut fibers to create ropes

Mrs. (now Senator) Cynthia Villar, managing director of the Villar Foundation, met with experts from the Bicol University for the Coco Coir technology; to address the growing problem with uncollected coconut husks.

Twines are weaved in the loom to create nets

Dr. Justino Arboleda, an agricultural engineer, designed the machinery to make the coco-net. Coco Coir Enterprise utilizes coconut husk and converts them into a coco net.

Finished coco nets are being used for slope protection and control soil erosion. Las PiÃ±as City and private developers use coco nets in various projects.

Congratulations Sec. Villar, for implementing the #bioengineering techniques to assist in the #BuildBuildBuild program of the government. This sure saves a lot of government fundings.