To mark International E-Waste Day 2025 (#ewasteday), the E-waste Producer Responsibility Organization of Nigeria, member of the WEEE Forum, dedicated to advancing Circular Economy (CE) in the Electrical and Electronic Sector is calling on and urging stakeholders, schools, organizations, and NGOs across the nation to join the global campaign focused on Critical Raw Materials(CRMs) present in electronic waste on 14th October, 2025 and take collective action towards responsible e-waste management for a cleaner, sustainable future.
What is International E-Waste Day?
International E-Waste Day, initiated by the WEEE Forum in 2018, is the world’s largest awareness raising campaign on the importance of responsible e-waste management. Last year 160 organizations from 47 countries on 6 continents joined the celebrations, including the representatives of producer responsibility organizations, recyclers, producers, NGOs, schools, universities, national authorities and municipalities. The activities included conferences, events, e-waste collections, press and social media campaigns, school lectures or even art performances. Check here the overview of what happened and who joined: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFCv3MnUNW4
Pascal Leroy, Director General of the WEEE Forum, expressed his satisfaction with the results of the campaign, “Seeing such broad participation–from major corporations, authorities, and international organizations to small businesses, schools, universities, NGOs, and other key players in the e-waste sector–demonstrates that the momentum generated by International #ewasteday will drive more effective action in addressing the e-waste challenge”.
IEWD 2025: Focus on Critical Raw Materials (CRMs)
As the demand for smartphones, electric vehicles, solar panels, and other technology continues to surge, so does the need for the materials that make them work. This year, International #ewasteday will spotlight Critical Raw Materials (CRMs), the elements that are mined in only a handful of countries and that are crucial to foster the green and digital transition. This year’s theme highlights the urgent need to recover valuable resources from discarded electronics. International #ewasteday, taking place in less than a month, is the moment to showcase initiatives, big or small, that inspire citizens to bring their old or end-of-use devices back into the circular economy.
EPRON’s Flagship Activity: National Student Essay Competition
In alignment with this year’s theme, EPRON in collaboration with IHS Nigeria Limited, International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations International Development Organization (UNIDO) funded by the European Union (EU), Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) will commemorate the day by engaging young minds nationwide through the IEWD 2025 Student Essay Competition. The competition is open to Junior and Senior Secondary School students across Nigeria and is designed to:
• Foster awareness about CRMs and circular economy solutions.
• Empower students to think critically about sustainable e-waste practices.
• Inspire a new generation of environmental leaders.
Essay Topics for each category are:
• Junior Secondary (JSS 1–3): Securing critical raw materials for off-grid renewable energy equipment by advancing circular economy.
• Senior Secondary (SSS 1–3): Advancing a just transition through urban mining to secure critical raw materials.
To participate, kindly complete your application via this link: bit.ly/IEWD2025Essay
Prizes to be won include:
• 1st Prize – Cash Prize + School Support Grant (to support the winning student’s school in sustainability efforts).
• 2nd Prize – Tablet Devices (to aid learning and innovation).
• 3rd Prize – Books & Educational Materials (to strengthen knowledge-sharing). The prizes will be presented at the final celebration on October 14, 2025.
Through this initiative, EPRON is encouraging schools and students across Nigeria to actively participate in the competition and use the opportunity to showcase their creativity, critical thinking, and commitment to a sustainable future. By engaging young people, the organization hopes to inspire a culture of environmental responsibility that extends beyond the classroom into homes and communities. This initiative reinforces EPRON’s commitment to building a sustainable Nigeria, where e-waste is managed responsibly and valuable resources are recovered for future generation.
