New Delhi, Sep 2, 2024: In response to the rapidly escalating challenge of electronic waste (e-waste) in India, Japan-based global financial institution Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and NGO Gramin Vikas Trust (GVT) have collaborated to introduce a pioneering e-waste management program in the Delhi-NCR region. This initiative addresses the growing concern over the hazardous impact of e-waste and aims to establish sustainable practices that can be replicated across the country.
Since the project's launch last year, the team has focused on a 360–degree approach to strengthen the government’s RRR (Reduce, Recycle , Reuse) centers and operations around it, upskilling the waste workers engaged, and uprising communities around the e waste.
India’s burgeoning Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector has led to a significant rise in electronic waste, generating over 1.6 million metric tons in the financial year 2022 alone. Despite this alarming figure, only 527 thousand metric tons were effectively processed, highlighting the critical gap in e-waste management. The unregulated disposal of e-waste poses severe environmental and health risks, necessitating immediate action.
Recognizing the urgent need for comprehensive e-waste management, SMBC and GVT have launched a program focused on creating awareness, improving recycling practices, and strengthening collaboration between private and government stakeholders. The initiative is designed to address the e-waste challenge at multiple levels, from the domestic generation of waste to the upskilling of waste workers.
In 2023, the first phase of the project was implemented, focusing on enhancing the capabilities of government-run Reduce, Recycle, Reuse (RRR) centers. These centers serve as the primary hubs for e-waste collection and segregation, ensuring that waste is handled safely and efficiently. The project also provided specialized training to waste workers, certifying 25 individuals in e-waste management and providing them with insurance coverage to safeguard their well-being.
A key component of the program is raising awareness among the general public, particularly in residential areas. The project has organized regular awareness camps and e-waste collection drives in Sangam Vihar, South Delhi. Three major events, held on World Environment Day (5th June 2024), Nature Conservation Day (28th July 2024), and International Youth Day (12th August 2024) successfully collected approximately 100 kilograms of e-waste. Participants in these events were honored as ‘Green Warriors,’ fostering a sense of environmental responsibility within the community.
To streamline e-waste management, the project is developing a mobile app specifically for residents of Delhi-NCR. This app will provide users with essential information about RRR centers, recyclers, and collection services. It will also facilitate the exchange of old electronics and offer educational resources on e-waste disposal.
In a bid to promote sustainable practices and provide economic opportunities, the program is training waste workers in the art of upcycling. These workers will receive the skills and knowledge needed to transform e-waste into valuable products, allowing them to develop sustainable business models around upcycling.
The collaboration represents a holistic approach to tackling the e-waste crisis in India. By addressing the needs of all stakeholders—e-waste generators, handlers, recyclers, and policymakers—the program is paving the way for a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable future.
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