E-waste stands for electronic waste which means the waste that is generated through the electronic devices post its useful life. Electronic waste is a modern phenomenon due to the rampant utilization of phones, computers, laptops, air conditioners, televisions, refrigerators etc. These electronic devices that are discarded after its shelf life lead to electronic waste. The rapid changes in technology and the hype for better versions of electronic devices has enkindled the rise in utilization of latest electronic devices resulting into thoughtless and reckless disposal of the older versions of those electronic devices. The issue of electronic waste is no more a national concern but a global one as well due to the globalized world that we all live in.
The electronic devices are a mixture of precious as well as harmful and hazardous components. Where silver, copper, gold etc. form part of expensive electronic devices, there are also component such as lead, beryllium, cadmium etc. that are toxic in nature and if not recycled in an appropriate manner could result into several disastrous effects in the society. Most of the electronic scrap lands up in the informal sector for its recycling where there is least consideration towards health and environment.
AWARENESS PROGRAMME ON ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS OF ELECTRONIC WASTE:
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) initiated “Awareness Programme on Environmental Hazards of Electronic waste” on March 31, 2015. This project is under the ‘Digital India’ initiative of the Government of India. The primary focus of the project is to create awareness among different stakeholders in order to reduce the adverse impact on environment and health due to improper disposal of e-waste. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MietY) has played a key role in dissemination of knowledge on e-waste rules in the past. The awareness programme was conducted in many schools and the response received from the students has been phenomenon.
EMPIRICAL RESEARCH ON E-WASTE:
During my research on e-waste I discovered about the electronic waste drive that was conducted in the Mithibai College, Vile Parle (West). Mumbai, Maharashtra. This drive was conducted under the Nisarg Nature Club of the college. On interviewing the professor in charge I was enlightened that the drive had started in the year 2018. The e- waste that was collected from the students included laptops, desktop, wires, remotes, chargers, speakers, keyboards etc. Though the response of the students was average yet the e-waste that was collected by the Physics department of the college was sent to Croma who further sent it for recycling. Through the drive the students were made aware about the dangers of inappropriately disposing their e-waste along with the regular waste according to the professor. The professor also added that the recycling helps them to do their bit towards the environment. According to the suggestion from the professor the e-waste collection drive should be carried out on a door to door basis and awareness should be created in masses. On seeing the response of the students the e-waste drive was also conducted in the year 2019 by the college.
EXPECTED OUTCOME OF E-WASTE AWARENESS:
- Recycling recovers valuable materials from old electronics that can be used to make new products.
- We can reduce pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and save resources by extracting fewer raw materials from the earth.
- Recycling will create jobs for professional recyclers.
- New markets will be created for the valuable components that are dismantled.
- Instead of discarding it along with the domestic waste, it can be handed over to various agencies like Croma, Samsung etc. resulting into major contribution towards environmental preservation by each one of us.
