What do you do with electronic devices when they become useless? According to statistics, Armenian residents produce 4.3kg electronic waste per person annually, and the index for the entire population makes 16 000 tons. Only a few of us know that by simply throwing useless devices into the garbage we cause great harm not only to the environment, but our health as well.

After spending a year in Armenia, German student at UWC Dilijan College Cedric Solms noticed that this problem indeed existed in the country. Cedric and his course mates Armen Ter-Minasyan, Mikhail Zamskoy and Artyom Khan are trying to start an environmental movement that will raise awareness about this issue.

The students receive support from Dilijan Community Center, UWC Dilijan College, Dilijan Municipality, Solms Consulting, Shirak Tours, and German Embassy in Armenia. Re-Apaga Charity Foundation was founded to try to make Armenia an environmentally friendly country. The Board of Trustees of the foundation includes co-founder of UWC Dilijan College Veronika Zonabend and Ambassador of Germany to Armenia Matthias Kiesler.

Photo: Mediamax

The students intend to give lectures on negative effects of e-waste in Tavush marz, schools and universities of Vanadzor, organize an essay and painting contest, form a volunteer corps for collecting e-waste, and realize other promotion efforts.

By the initiative of Cedric Solms, the first campaign on the harm of e-waste was organized.

Cedric Solms. Recreating Armenia’s future

Armenia indeed has the problem of electronic waste, as discarded electronic devices usually get burned. The toxic materials, produced by burning, spread in the ground and air, polluting the environment. This is a global problem because it harms plants, as well as the health of animals and people. For this reason I decided to create a foundation that will raise awareness of this issue and found the first e-waste recycling center in Armenia, creating jobs for the unemployed.

Re-Apaga Foundation was formed to change the mindset of Armenian people first, but we understand that it is not enough. They need to be motivated to give useless electronics to us. We want people to be sure that what we do is good.

Photo: Mediamax

We are very fond of the name of the foundation, Re-apaga. “Apaga” means “future” in Armenian, the prefix “re-” means “recycle”, “give a new life” or “recreate”, so we get “Recreate future”.

Veronika Zonabend: “This initiative can spread throughout Armenia”

The charm of the initiative is that the students found ways to realize their idea on their own. This initiative was born from an idea, and I hope that it will grow into a big movement. The students received substantial help from the Dilijan Community Center, where the main topics and goal of the project were formed.

This initiative has all chances to spread throughout Armenia. This is a huge problem, relevant not only for Armenia, but the entire region and humankind as well. The students intend to involve a large number of young people in the initiative in the course of this year, visiting schools and universities.

Photo: Mediamax

Matthias Kiesler: “I was inspired by the students’ idea”

I have a very positive opinion on this initiative. When I first visited Dilijan College and met the young people who want to do something about electronic waste, I was very inspired. I agreed immediately when I was offered to become a member of the Board of Trustees.

It is unfortunate that environment protection is not a priority in Armenia. However, it inspires hope that such initiatives are created to raise awareness among people.

I believe it is my duty to create ties and search benefactors for this initiative. Germany too has the problem of e-waste, but all communities there have special centers where people can leave their electronics, - TV sets, old phones, etc.

Mariam Manoyan

Photos by Emin Aristakesyan