Maharashtra wakes up to dangers of e-Waste…… Chetan R
Starting next month, environment ministry, along with recyclers and NGOs, will set up e-waste bins in colleges across city to ensure its safe disposal
Starting next month, environment ministry, along with recyclers and NGOs, will set up e-waste bins in colleges across city to ensure its safe disposal
Mumbai, the country’s largest generator of e-waste, has finally woken up to the dangers of its haphazard disposal. The state environment ministry, in association with e-waste recyclers and NGOs, is all set to place e-waste bins at strategic locations across the city to ensure that it can be recycled or disposed off safely.
In its first phase starting June, the bins, costing approximately Rs 6,000 each, will be placed in 20 colleges and students will be sensitised to the dangers of e-waste and the need for its safe disposal.
“We have been creating awareness by screening short films and delivering talks on the hazardous impact of e-waste,” said Rajkumar Sharma, convenor, Clean Sweep, an NGO working in the sector.
“June has been chosen because the new academic year will begin and students will be accessible. Our aim is to help the government make the initiative a success,” he added.
Some NGOs have already started a trial run in Colaba, in association with Ecoreco, a recycling company.
When contacted, Suresh Shetty, state minister for environment, said, “Things are being worked out and we will reveal details of the project shortly.”
* What is e-Waste?
e-Waste for short or Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is the term used to describe old, end-of-life or discarded appliances using electricity. It includes everything from batteries, compact discs and mobile phones to televisions, monitors, washing machines and printers.
e-Waste for short or Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is the term used to describe old, end-of-life or discarded appliances using electricity. It includes everything from batteries, compact discs and mobile phones to televisions, monitors, washing machines and printers.