An Electronic World Without Waste – Dream or Reality?
Can we imagine a future where electronics no longer pollute our planet, but instead become part of the solution?
That’s the question we explored with the youngest digital natives—children who’ve never known a world without smartphones and computers—during the third edition of the Ecofestival “Varna – the Sea” 2025. Held on July 18, 2025, in the scenic Sea Garden of Varna, the event gathered over 30 enthusiastic children from grades 1 to 4, along with visitors and tourists, to participate in an inspiring journey toward a cleaner future.
UBBSLA and the eWAsTER Project: Turning Waste Into Resources
At the heart of the event was the UBBSLA team’s presentation of the “eWAsTER” project—an initiative focused on preventing water pollution from electronic waste by transforming discarded devices into valuable resources. Under the banner “Electronic World Without Waste: Exhibition for the Future of Our Planet!”, our stand showcased outdated gadgets no one uses anymore—but with a twist: instead of trash, they became teaching tools for sustainability. Children learned how old phones, keyboards, and cables could be creatively reused or properly recycled, giving them a second life instead of polluting our oceans and land.
Learning Through Play and Practice
Our young participants weren’t just spectators—they became changemakers. Through interactive workshops, hands-on recycling demonstrations, and fun games, they discovered how each component of their devices—from plastic shells to rare metals—can be recovered, reused, or safely disposed of. They also got a sneak peek into our upcoming initiative, WEEE BEHAVE, which will launch in Varna schools and nearby communities this autumn. The pilot action aims to teach children what e-waste is, the environmental harm it causes, and—most importantly—how they can take action.
A Festival for the Future
The Ecofestival “Varna – the Sea” 2025 starts on July 3rd and finish on July 20th promotes a lifestyle in harmony with nature, focusing on reducing our ecological footprint and protecting the fragile ecosystems of the Black Sea. With biodiversity under threat and recent EU reports placing the Black Sea near the bottom in water quality rankings, the time for action is now.
Our message to the next generation is clear: a sustainable, waste-free electronic world isn’t just a possibility—it’s a necessity. And with creativity, education, and collaboration, it’s within reach.
Together, we’re not just dreaming of a cleaner future—we’re building it!
More about the EWAsTER Project:
https://ewaster.interreg-euro-med.eu
