Abstract:

In practice, all sectors such as transport, industry, education, economy, commerce, trade, healthcare, and e-commerce increase waste. Nowadays, it is mainly e-waste. E-waste is a growing and emerging global problem. This is due to the large quantities of toxic chemicals released into the environment during dismantling, incineration and recycling. The permeation of requirements for sorting waste based on its chemical composition into training and education, e.g. as early as primary school, as well as into requirements for individual behaviour not only in the work environment but also outside it, creates room for social culture and development. This paper highlights e-waste, which is growing in quantity and toxicity. We place particular emphasis on the impacts of e-waste on the environment and on human health. We focus on motivation as one of the important factors in the education of primary school pupils, which can help to sort (separate) this type of waste. We focused mainly on the chemical composition of e-waste. It has been reported that toxic chemicals and heavy metals are prevalent in the e-waste sites in environmental compartments and human samples. E-waste contains chemicals of different compositions that, in many cases, need to be specifically disposed of or can be used in other production processes. This paper presents the importance and benefits of educating primary school pupils about e-waste and its composition. We focus on the chemicals contained in e-waste, which we offer in the form of innovative educational topics included in the science subject of chemistry. We have used these topics during the COVID pandemic in an e-learning course. Each topic includes a method sheet for the teacher and a worksheet for the pupil. With the alarming increase in the amount and types of e-waste, it is essential to continuously educate and train pupils to monitor the contamination of the environment by e-waste. E-learning education for primary school pupils pursues environmental, didactic and observational objectives. E-learning is one form of distance education. The above knowledge base is open to new methods and practices. It allows for continuously connecting up-to-date materials, information, and applicable rules and regulations. The development of science and technology provides rapid opportunities for obtaining and accessing information and thus extends the possibilities of the education system. One of the solutions to accepting new information and knowledge and increasing the efficiency of education is the use of ICT. The e-learning course provided interesting examples of educational materials that highlighted the link between chemistry and other science subjects. The topics were designed to be interesting for pupils in chemistry lessons and to motivate them to take action to protect and care for the environment and thus for their health. The increased hazardous effect of toxic chemicals from e-waste on the human population is particularly prevalent at e-waste exposure sites compared to non-exposure. For this reason, it is also necessary to raise awareness about toxic chemicals in e-waste and its exposure to harmful health effects on humans. The main objective of the e-waste-themed course is, among other things, to improve the educational process and, at the same time, incorporate new developments in the training of school-going youth.

Keywords:

E-waste, education, e-learning, motivation, chemical.