Students Can Be Change Agents to Address Electronic Waste Accumulation

JAKARTA - The digital lifestyle is now increasingly embedded in daily life, the existence of electronic devices has become an inseparable part of people's lives.

However, behind the ease offered by technology, there is a problem that often escapes attention, namely electronic waste or electronic waste (e-waste).

The Global E-waste Monitor 2024 data shows that Indonesia is one of the largest contributors of electronic waste in Southeast Asia with a total of 1.9 million tons in 2022.

This condition encourages various parties to take concrete steps, including Acer Indonesia which has strengthened its sustainability movement through the #SayangBumi program.

Entering its sixth year of implementation, #SayangBumi this year focuses on the world of education by partnering with 50 high schools in the Jabodetabek area.

Thousands of students will receive education on electronic waste management through workshops that will take place from June to November 2026, as well as being invited to participate in the collection of e-waste responsibly.

According to Acer Indonesia President Director, Leny Ng, the involvement of the younger generation is the key to building a more sustainable future.

"Technological advances have changed the way we live, work, and connect with each other. However, every electronic device that reaches the end of its life also leaves a trace in the form of electronic waste," said Leny Ng, when met at SMA 82 Jakarta on Thursday, June 11, 2026.

"Behind every innovation must be a commitment and responsibility to ensure that the impact on the earth can be managed sustainably," he continued.

Leny added that Acer chose the education world as the main focus of the program because the environmental awareness instilled from an early age is a long-term investment.

"We believe that instilling a sense of love for the earth from a young age is an investment for the future. Through this program, we hope to create a younger generation who not only care about the environment, but also dare to take real action to protect the earth we love," he explained.

As part of the program, Acer launched the #SayangBumi Changemaker initiative. Each participating school will select three students who will act as change agents in their respective school environments. In total, there will be 150 Changemaker students who will be tasked with inviting their friends to be more concerned about electronic waste management and environmental sustainability.

This program also targets the collection of up to 5 tons of e-waste throughout its implementation, an increase from the achievement of more than 3 tons in the previous year.

The Director of Waste Management of the Ministry of Environment and the Environment Control Agency of the Republic of Indonesia, Dra. Merda Mardalina, M.Sc, assessed that initiatives involving schools have a strategic role in building a better waste management culture.

"Schools are very important socialization spaces. Waste management downstream will not run optimally if from the beginning the waste is still mixed. Through programs like this, students learn directly to sort electronic waste from everyday household waste," he said.

According to Merda, electronic waste has special characteristics because it contains hazardous materials that can have serious impacts if thrown away carelessly.

"Electronic waste is unique and risky because it can contain toxic elements, be flammable, and even potentially cause explosions if not properly managed. Therefore, proper collection and management are very important to protect human health and the environment," he explained.

On the other hand, he emphasized that e-waste also holds great economic value through a circular economy approach.

"Electronic waste actually has very high economic potential. It contains valuable materials such as copper, silver, gold, palladium to platinum that can be reused if managed responsibly," added Merda.

In its implementation, Acer Indonesia works with EwasteRJ as an educational partner as well as a certified recycling partner that ensures electronic waste is processed according to environmental standards.

Founder and CEO of EwasteRJ, Rafa Jafar, revealed that the movement was built from a simple experience when he found many old cellphones stored at home.

"When I was a child, I found a lot of old cellphones in the cabinets of my house. At that time I asked, where did these unused electronic items actually end up? It turns out that many people don't know the answer, not because they don't care, but because there is no adequate education and facilities," he said.

That is the question that then prompted the birth of EwasteRJ, which began with the provision of special electronic waste dropboxes in schools. Rafa believes that the electronic waste problem cannot be solved by one party alone.

"With the rapid development of technology, the problem of electronic waste is a real challenge. The solution will not come from one person or one organization, but through collaboration between all parties, namely the government, industry, education, and society," he said.

He also assessed the collaboration with Acer through #SayangBumi as a real example of how technology companies can take a role in the product management cycle.

"We want to build an ecosystem where everyone has access to properly managing electronic waste. From there, new economic opportunities, new jobs, and a more sustainable future can be born," added Rafa.

Since it was first launched in 2021, #SayangBumi has grown into one of Acer Indonesia's sustainability movements that consistently involve the community. Various activities have been carried out, ranging from environmental education, beach cleaning actions, planting thousands of mangroves and trees, to collecting electronic waste.

In the previous year, this movement managed to collect more than 3 tons of e-waste and planted around 2,000 tree seedlings as part of efforts to reduce carbon footprint and support ecosystem recovery.

Through a new focus involving the education world, Acer hopes #SayangBumi not only produces greater electronic waste collection figures, but also grows a younger generation who are aware that every device used has an environmental responsibility behind it.

Taking care of the earth is not just about putting garbage in its place, but also about understanding the impact of every choice we make today for a better future.