Dr. Neelu Gera, Chairperson, J&K Pollution Control Committee today flagged off On Wheels E-waste Collection Centre (E-waste Mobile Collection Van) and launched doorstep awareness drive in collaboration with PRO Saahas Zero Waste and their partners Xiaomi India, LG India, EPSON India, Namo Ewaste Management, Red FM, MIER College of Education and ELFA International.
The event was graced by K. Ramesh Kumar, Member Secretary, J&K Pollution Control; Sat Paul, Regional Director, JKPCC, Jammu; J.N. Sharma, EE, JKPCC; Neelu Sharma, PSO, JKPCC; Dr. Yashpaul Salgotra, Nodal Officer E-waste, JKPCC, Jammu; Anuradha, all Divisional Officers / Scientists, JKPCC among other senior officers of the Committee, to create awareness amongst consumers regarding E-waste, which is one of the most serious and fast emerging environmental issues. The awareness cum collection campaign shall be carried out in various districts of Jammu and Kashmir in collaboration with Saahas Zero Waste under Producer Responsibility till January, 2023.
Chairperson, JKPCC appreciated the innovative initiative by the officials of PCC, PRO Saahas Zero Waste and its partners to conduct the awareness drive in the city. She highlighted the fact that India has emerged as the 3rd largest contributor of E-waste generated across the globe, with 6% contribution of total e-waste generation, thereby, making it the most serious cause of concern from environmental point of view. She also highlighted that the lack of proper collection mechanism and unscientific disposal is a major cause of environmental and health hazards triggered by e-waste & plastic waste.
K. Ramesh Kumar, Member Secretary, J&K Pollution Control Committee, noted that electronic and electrical items such as computers, televisions, mobile phones etc. are being discarded swiftly post their life completion and contribute to a huge volume of e-waste. He further mentioned that consumers should play a responsible role in ensuring safe collection and disposal of all types of electronic and plastic waste. This in turn ensures scientific management of these resources, which if disposed otherwise can cause irreversible damage to the environment. He requested the general public to co-operate in making this campaign a success and ensure safe channelization of E-waste.
Shobha Raghavan, COO of Saahas Zero Waste highlighted the urgent need for last mile engagement by Electronics Producers, PROs , Ewaste Recyclers , Government and citizens through partnerships and strengthening the formal collection mechanisms to support the responsible disposal and handling of e-waste.
Akshay MD of Namo Ewaste Management stressed on the need for recyclers to show pan India capacities for supporting recycling of all the collected ewaste materials.
CEO of ELFA International, Mehran Khan expressed his happiness to integrate the e-waste awareness sessions into their whole school safety program. This will add additional value to their current work on inclusive education and expanding the various dimensions thereof.
Further, NSSS /NCC / Eco-club volunteers from various district colleges were felicitated for their participation in another doorstep E-waste awareness campaign launched by JKPCC on 30-06-2022 for one month.
