India is among the five biggest producers of E-Waste in the world, generating about two million tonnes per annum annually as per the recent ASSOCHAM-NEC study. The current rate of e-waste generation in India is 4.56 times greater than the annual e-waste processing capacity offered by the nation, which leads to improper and illegal dumping or disposal of the hazardous e-waste. It is a great emerging threat that can have an adverse impact on environment and people.

A workshop on Building an eco-system for effective management of e-waste in Bhubaneswar was conducted by Clean E-Bhubaneswar for the students of SAI International School on Wednesday, October 31, 2018.

The students were briefed on the effect of dumped electronic gadgets like Refrigerator, Washing machines, Computers and Printers, Televisions, Mobiles, Ipods etc., that spread toxins in the environment. The Resource persons Shri Aakash Kumar Singh and Shri Narsingh Panigrahy, Consultants of the Project, stressed on the importance of the 4-R like Reduce, Reuse, Repair and Recycle and promoted their campaign for collection and scientific disposal of e-waste.

Students were also made aware of the law framed by Government of India on Extended Producer Responsibility like collection and channelization (recycling or disposal) of e-waste generated from the end-of-life of their products. The Resource Person said that Manufacturing a product is complicated, using it is easy, disposing it is very easy, but scientifically disposing is immensely difficult. He said that the need of the hour is to ensure that the environment is protected from the various toxins that are extremely hazardous for health. Students were inspired to think in the lines on how to develop innovative business models, take-back logistics and design changes, to reduce the environmental impact of products at the end of their life.

Principal Shri Harish Sanduja said that, “It was very informative, and I am sure it is an eye opener for many students’. The team called for a collaborative effort to help establish a sustainable and responsible E-Waste management ecosystem in Bhubaneswar.

The Clean E-Bhubaneswar Project is a part of the International Finance Corporation (IFC)-European Union Eco Cities Programme that aims at developing a sustainable model for e-waste management in the city. It is implemented in collaboration between the local government entities, including Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), State Pollution Control Board, IT Department and the private sector.

The awareness workshop is part of the student awareness programme of Clean E-Bhubaneswar to help students become environmentally responsible citizen and lend their support in achieving sustainable development.