Crossworld takes into heart World Maritime Day 2020 through Responsible E-waste Management

Crossworld Marine Services Inc. is doing its part in making a sustainable maritime industry by properly discarding old machines and computer products as the company takes into heart this year’s World Maritime Day theme "Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet".

Crossworld recently held an ‘E-recycling’ drive and cleared out old and outdated computer related materials. Among them are CPUs, Monitors, Hard Drives, keyboards, and printers. The more than 300 items, which also included Uninterrupted Power Source (UPS), webcams and scanners, were given to custom electronics recycler Electronic Waste Philippines.

Electronic Waste Philippines utilizes environmentally sound processing methods that maximize value and recovery while eliminating the disposal of hazardous electronics and components into landfills.

According to the World Economic Forum, E-waste is now the fastest-growing waste stream in the world, with an estimated waste stream of 48.5 million tonnes in 2018. E-waste management, such as what Crossworld did, ensures computer products will not contaminate the environment despite containing hazardous materials such as cadmium, lead, copper, and chromium.

E-waste can contain substances that are hazardous to human health if not dealt with properly. It can also pollute water sources and food supply chains. Electronic goods also have an impact on climate change as every device ever produced has a carbon footprint and is contributing to human-made global warming. “Shipping activities must be balanced with Safety of Life at Sea and the long-term health and diversity of the oceans. A 2 major part of IMO's role is to ensure that shipping continues to make its contribution to the global economy without upsetting nature’s delicate balance,” said IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim in his message for the celebration of the World Maritime Day.

This year’s theme Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet provided an opportunity to raise awareness of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and showcase the work that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and its Member States are undertaking to achieve its targets.

“In the post-COVID world, much focus will be directed at the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by all UN Member States in 2015. These goals are as relevant as ever, and shipping is essential for sustainable development,” added Lim. In line with this, The IMO has already adopted measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions, reduction of sulphur content of ships' fuel oil, and implementation of the Ballast Water Management Convention. The body has also initiated moves to reduce marine litter. “The 2030 Agenda will only be realized with a sustainable transport sector supporting world trade and facilitating the global economy”.