Chairperson JKPCC flags off On Wheels E-waste Van In J&K District

In continuation of the initiatives undertaken by J&K PCC to create doorstep awareness on E-waste in all districts of J&K, Neelu Gera, Chairperson, J&K Pollution Control Committee has flagged off On Wheels E-waste Collection Centre (E-waste Mobile Collection Van) and has 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, Sh. Sat Paul, Regional Director, JKPCC, Jammu, J.N. Sharma, EE, JKPCC, Neelu Sharma, PSO, JKPCC, 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 a 6% contribution of total e-waste generation, thereby, making it the most serious cause of concern from an environmental point of view. She also highlighted that the lack of proper collection mechanisms 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 the safe collection and disposal of all types of electronic and plastic waste. This, in turn, ensures scientific management of these resources, which if disposed of otherwise can cause irreversible damage to the environment. He requested the general public to cooperate in making this campaign a success and ensure the safe channelization of E-waste.

Commenting on the launch of the drive, Muralikrishnan B, President, Xiaomi India, said, “As India’s No 1 Smartphone and Smart TV brand, our focus is not only on responsible recycling but also educating, spreading awareness and building preference towards e-waste management amongst consumers. JKPCC’s initiative ‘On Wheels E-waste Collection Centre’ is an important step towards building a sustainable and future-ready tomorrow. We take immense pride in being a part of this e-waste drive in partnership with Saahas Zero waste. We will continue to encourage our consumers to participate and contribute towards a greener and cleaner tomorrow.”

At LG Electronics we are committed to sustainable practices across various functions. In the past, we have launched multiple initiatives including a digital campaign #UPGRADERESPONSIBLY in the year 2021 towards creating awareness for responsible disposal of E-waste. Our initiatives were aimed to spread awareness among people to cooperate in helping to discard e-waste responsibly.

We congratulate JKPCC and Saahas Zero Waste on the launch of E-waste awareness drive across J&K. This initiative will definitely motivate people to adopt responsible way to discard their electronics.

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's capacities for supporting the recycling of all the collected e-waste materials.

CEO ELFA International Mehran Khan expressed his happiness to integrate the ewaste awareness sessions into their whole school safety program. This will add additional value to their current work on inclusive education and expand 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.