As the world grapples with mounting environmental challenges, e-waste has emerged as one of the most pressing yet often overlooked crises. With India generating over 3.2 million tonnes of e-waste annually, the need for structured, sustainable solutions has never been more urgent. At the forefront of this mission is the Bajaj Foundation, a dynamic force championing responsible e-waste management, sustainability education, and youth empowerment.
Founded on the philosophy of "Ek Sansaar, Ek Parivaar" (One World, One Family), the Bajaj Foundation has built an extensive network of impact across 45 cities, engaging thousands of students and families in meaningful environmental action. Under the leadership of Pankaj Bajaj, the Foundation has pioneered initiatives such as the Youth Eco Summit and a groundbreaking pilot project with UNICEF, fostering a new generation of eco-conscious changemakers.
In this exclusive conversation with TheCSRUniverse, Director Pankaj Bajaj shares the Foundation’s journey, its key initiatives, and his vision for a future where sustainability is not just a choice, but a way of life.
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Q. Please tell us about the inception and journey of Bajaj Foundation. What led you to start it and how is it structured today?
A. The Bajaj Foundation emerged from a critical observation - India's e-waste crisis was accelerating, but the infrastructure and awareness to handle it were not keeping pace. This gap presented both an urgent problem and an opportunity for systematic change. I established the Foundation with the goal of creating positive change through collective action. The Foundation’s mission is to build communities, foster unity, and create opportunities for people to support one another and the environment. Today, we deploy a three-pronged approach with our aim of promoting responsible e-waste management and advocate for environmental stewardship: awareness, advocacy and actionable solutions.
Our team of 8 core members works with implementation partners across 45 cities, focusing on measurable outcomes rather than just outreach numbers.
Shohini Dutta, our Chief Philanthropy Officer, brings her expertise in the performing arts and her deep understanding of philanthropy and cultural engagement to shape our initiatives. Kanika Bajaj, our Managing Director, has implemented data-driven assessment frameworks that help us measure actual impact; not just participation metrics. This lean structure allows us to remain adaptable while scaling our initiatives effectively.
Every project we take on is built on the idea that when we work together, we can create something bigger than ourselves. And that’s what keeps me moving forward every single day.
Q. The philosophy of "Ek Sansaar, Ek Pariwaar" carries a beautiful meaning. How does it shape the goals and work of Bajaj Foundation? Also, has this idea impacted your personal or professional journey in any way?
A. For me, “Ek Sansaar, Ek Parivaar” manifests in everything we do at Bajaj Foundation. It’s a simple but powerful belief: we’re all connected, and the well-being of one impacts the well-being of all. That’s what drives our work in environmental sustainability, youth empowerment, and community building. Our approach centers on measurable behavioural change and circular economy principles.
On a personal level, this belief has changed the way I look at impact. One of the things I love most is seeing young leaders take charge of a greener tomorrow. There have been several students who have attended our workshops, been inspired, and have then taken action in their own schools and neighborhoods. Some have even built their own projects, startups, and sustainability initiatives;which is exactly the kind of youth leadership and entrepreneurship we want to encourage.
Q. Could you take us through the broad focus areas of the foundation and major projects that you have undertaken under these domains?
A. At Bajaj Foundation, our work is centered around two interconnected areas - environmental and humanitarian initiatives. Within our environmental efforts, we have a keen focus on e-waste management and ecosystem restoration. We strongly believe that sustainability goes beyond just protecting nature. It is shifting mindsets and everyday habits so that future generations inherit a cleaner, healthier planet. This year, we are taking it a step further through a pilot project with UNICEF. It’s an after-hours program in Delhi, which is a part of a three-state intervention covering 13 cities. We’ll be hosting virtual workshops for students of sixth to ninth grades from government schools, working alongside our partners to make sustainability education accessible. In addition to this, we’re collecting e-waste directly from these schools, so students don’t just learn about responsible disposal—they actually take part in it! We’re also working towards ramping up awareness through pamphlets, booklets, and expert speakers who make the subject engaging and relevant. At the end of the day, our goal is to empower young minds, and develop conscious habit change in them.
Q. Strong collaborations are critical to the success of any social initiative. Who are your major supporters and implementation partners and how are they strengthening your mission?
A. In my opinion, no social initiative can thrive in isolation, and we’re incredibly lucky to have some amazing partners who believe in what we’re doing. Our partnerships are strategically chosen to create a comprehensive impact ecosystem. Itel, Tecno, UNICEF YuWaah, WWF, and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) have all played a critical role in amplifying our impact through policy support, community outreach, and helping us scale sustainability education. These collaborations have yielded concrete results - in a span of two years, we have already made an impact in 45 cities across India, working with 2,950 schools and engaging over 14,500 students.
At Bajaj Foundation, we believe that this does not just mean that we are reaching schools. It also helps us extend our impact to 14,500 families, sparking real conversations about sustainability, e-waste, and conscious living at home. This year, we’re aiming to conduct 1,200 in-person workshops across India, with 200 students in each class. That’s 240,000 students reached, 240,000 families impacted. None of this would be possible without our incredible partners.
Q. Among the foundation’s many initiatives, which ones do you feel most proud of, and why?
A. While everything we do is equally meaningful for me, the 2025 edition of our flagship event - Youth Eco Summit, truly stands out not just for its scale. Building on the success of its inaugural edition held last year in New Delhi, YES 2025 saw 2,336 participating schools from 35+ cities come together to spark a discourse on e-waste awareness and management. Needless to say, the energy was absolutely incredible.
But this, something I’m really excited about is our UNICEF Pilot Project because it ties back directly to our aim of inspiring collective tangible action towards fighting the e-waste challenge. Both these initiatives are moulded for children to be a part of this journey. When a child learns about sustainability, they take that lesson home. They influence their parents, their grandparents, their entire community—and that’s how real change happens. It’s a ripple effect that grows over time, shaping a more conscious, responsible generation.
Q. Could you share any specific stories or milestones that best showcase the impact of these initiatives?
A. Across YES 2024 and YES 2025, we have now made an impact in 45 cities across India, with a total of 2,950 schools participating over the past two years. But beyond the numbers, what really stood out was the creativity, leadership, and out of-the-box thinking these young minds brought to the table. The events witnessed students build models entirely out of discarded keyboards, CDs, and other e-waste - proving that waste isn’t waste until we waste it!
This is what we’re trying to instill—a circular economy mindset where sustainability becomes a way of life, not just an afterthought. The engagement that we saw in these events reinstated that youth are the architects of tomorrow, and by empowering them with knowledge and tools, we are fostering future entrepreneurs and problem solvers who can bring innovative sustainability solutions to the real world.
Q. What were the biggest challenges that you faced (or continue to face) in your social endeavours and what learnings emerged from them?
A. The primary challenge for us was to bridge the knowledge - action gap in e-waste. In the early years of working we realised that people are unaware of how e-waste is a silent tsunami. Most people don’t think twice about what happens to their old phones, chargers, or broken gadgets, and fail to see the huge environmental and health crisis this is creating. E-waste is growing at an alarming rate, and unlike plastic or air pollution, it’s not visible—which makes it even harder to get people, businesses, and policymakers to take action. We are trying to surmount this challenge by telling powerful stories, building compelling campaigns, and creating interactive experiences that bring this issue to the forefront. We are also looking at ways to bring in more partners, collaborate with more businesses, and create CSR-driven initiatives that will help support our long-term e-waste solutions.
Q. The Youth Eco Summit 2025 was concluded recently. How does this summit align with the broader mission of the Bajaj Foundation and what key outcomes do you hope to achieve in the coming years?
A. The Youth Eco Summit is an extension of Bajaj Foundation’s core philosophy—“Ek Sansaar, Ek Parivaar”—which means One World, One Family. Our mission has always been to empower youth, promote environmental sustainability, and drive meaningful action, and this summit brings all these elements together. The second edition of Youth Eco Summit was a successful event and for our third Youth Eco Summit 2026, we are hoping to engage even more schools, cities, and young changemakers, introduce hands-on sustainability challenges, e-waste collection drives. We need individuals, communities, businesses, and policymakers to see e-waste for the crisis it is and take action together.
Q. What role do you see India playing in addressing the e-waste burden?
A. India's position is critical; we're generating 3.2 million tonnes of e-waste annually, with informal sectors handling 95% of recycling. There is an opportunity to transform this challenge into a structured, sustainable system. One of the biggest barriers here is the gap between the informal and formal e-waste sectors. Right now, informal recyclers handle a huge chunk of India’s e-waste, but often in ways that are unsafe and harmful to both people and the planet. There is a need to bring them into the system in a way that works for the community at large.
Bajaj Foundation is working towards solving for the e-waste crisis in the following ways –
1. Education and awareness through our school programs
2. Setting up e-waste collection centers that work with authorized recyclers, ensuring safe and ethical disposal.
3. Policy advocacy for systemic change
We want to champion this cause and promote a circular economy; where waste isn’t just discarded but reintegrated into the system in a sustainable way.
Q. You are a Harvard graduate with over twenty years of experience. What led you to enter the development sector and what advice would you like to give to youth today who wish to make a mark in the space.
A. Coming from a business background, I was always drawn to problem-solving, strategy, and impact-driven work. The challenges we face today, whether it’s climate change, sustainability, or social inequality, demand solutions that are a combination of idealism and practical execution. This is what led me to the development sector, as it helped me bring together my passion and knowledge for a cause I resonate with. To the people who want to enter the space, the key is identifying specific, solvable problems within larger challenges. In e-waste management, for instance, success comes from understanding both environmental science and community dynamics.
Start with clearly defined, achievable goals and build evidence-based models that can scale and help larger communities.
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