Latest news with #E-wasteInitiative
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
E-waste Initiative in Delhi: To tackle threat to environment, public health; comprehensive awareness and action campaign
Representative image (AI) An "E-waste Initiative" has been launched in Delhi to deal with growing threat of electronic-related garbage. The alarming proliferation of electronic waste (E-waste) presents a significant threat to both our environment and public health, demanding immediate and collective action. The initiative is designed to spearhead a comprehensive awareness and action campaign is now underway. We need collaborative efforts aimed to mobilize communities and stakeholders in the fight against e-waste, a critical step towards a sustainable future for our city and nation. In Delhi, the challenge of e-waste is particularly acute. Being a major consumption hub, the city generates 152,000 metric tonnes of e-waste annually, much of which ends up in informal recycling sectors or landfills. This haphazard disposal leads to severe environmental degradation. Also resulting in a loss of nearly $57 billion worth of valuable and critical metals such as copper, lithium and rare earth elements. Toxic heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium, along with hazardous chemicals, leach into the soil and groundwater, contaminating natural resources and posing long-term risks to agriculture and water supply. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Neuropathiepijn? Miljoenen praten over dit apparaat KneeTens Undo The fumes released from the burning of e-waste, a common practice in informal recycling, pollute Delhi's already strained air quality, contributing to respiratory illnesses and other health complications for residents, especially those living near these unregulated sites. The community impact is profound. Workers in the informal e-waste sector, often working without proper protective gear, are directly exposed to these harmful substances, leading to a high incidence of chronic diseases and disabilities. Furthermore, the presence of unregulated e-waste dumps not only degrades local aesthetics but also serves as breeding grounds for pests, further impacting public health and sanitation. The initiatives taken by different organizations aim to directly address these pressing local concerns by fostering responsible disposal practices, promoting formal recycling channels, and empowering communities with the knowledge and resources to mitigate the dangers of e-waste. In a step towards addressing this issue, the Delhi government has announced plans to develop India's first integrated E-Waste Eco Park at Holambi Kalan in north-west Delhi. In addition to e-waste recycling, the eco park will feature dedicated zones for dismantling, refurbishing, component testing, plastic recovery and a second-hand electronics market. It will also house skilling and training centres to formally upskill thousands of informal workers engaged in unregulated and hazardous e-waste handling. "This project will generate more than a thousand green jobs. By bringing informal recyclers into the formal system, we're not just improving their livelihoods, we're also making the entire ecosystem cleaner, safer and technologically competent," said Sirsa, "The era of irresponsible dumping is over," he added.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
E-waste initiative: Mumbai to tackle growing waste threat; UN warns of millions of tons generated annually
Representative AI image An "E-waste Initiative" has been launched in Mumbai to deal with growing threat no one can ignore. The United Nations estimates that we generate millions of tons of e-waste, or electronic waste, every year. In Maharashtra, government initiatives like the e-waste Management Rules mandate Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for both manufacturers and producers. The e-waste Management Rules are a set of comprehensive rules that look after registered recyclers, refurbishers, and producers. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) is also integral to regulating and monitoring e-waste recycling facilities. The MPCB is responsible for registering recyclers and reprocessors. What is e-waste? E-waste, or electronic waste, refers to discarded electrical or electronic devices. Many electronic devices like smartphones, computers, and other gadgets contain toxic substances like lead, mercury, and flame retardants. Improper disposal of these gadgets or devices can lead to toxins penetrating into the soil and the environment. This can have massive repercussions for humans as well as wildlife. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo UN has warned that waste from electronics is piling up worldwide while recycling rates are not up to the mark. The UN's International Telecommunications Union and research arm, UNITAR, has said that around 62 million tonnes of e-waste were generated in 2022.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
E-waste initiative launched in Hyderabad to tackle hazardous waste from IT sector, urbanisation
Representative Image (AI-generated) A CSR initiative called "E-waste Initiative" has been launched in Hyderabad in collaboration with distinguished organizations that aims to protect the environment and foster social responsibility in order to tackle one of the major challenges: e-waste generation. Electronic waste (e-waste) is a generic term used to describe discarded electrical or electronic devices. It includes gadgets like smartphones and laptops, as well as electrical appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines. E-waste poses a serious threat to both the environment and public health, requiring immediate action. The mission of this campaign is to educate and engage every sector of society—residential communities, offices, retail markets and educational institutions. Experts predict that the amount of e-waste could double by 2050, posing a significant threat to the environment. If not recycled properly, it can also cause health hazards. However, a shift towards a circular economy, where resources are recovered and reused, could revolutionize e-waste management. Moreover, manufacturers are starting to design electronics for easier repair and disassembly, potentially extending product lifespans and reducing waste. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo The Government of India has established comprehensive regulations for e-waste management, primarily through the E-waste (Management) Rules, 2022, which aim to address the growing challenge of electronic waste and streamline the processes for handling it responsibly. E-waste management in Hyderabad: Hyderabad, being a major IT hub, has seen a massive increase in e-waste generation due to rapid urbanization. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has initiated a Centre of Excellence on E-Waste Recycling at C-MET, Hyderabad, to foster research, innovation and best practices in e-waste management. The Telangana Pollution Control Board (TGPCB) has enacted the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2018 to regulate the handling of electronic waste, promoting responsible management and reducing environmental harm, with a vision to achieve economic growth alongside environmental protection for an improved quality of life.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
E-waste Initiative launched in Pune amid rising electronic waste generation
A CSR initiative called the "E-waste Initiative" has been launched in Pune to tackle the rising waste problem in the city. The initiative aims to lead a broad awareness and action campaign that is now in progress. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It calls for collective efforts to engage communities and stakeholders in tackling e-waste—an essential move toward building a sustainable future for both the city and the country. This comes amidst Pune Municipal Corporation's initiative to restart the electricity generation project using garbage saw little progress over the past two years, even though funds were allocated in the 2025-26 civic budget. The deadline to establish a plant at Ramtekdi, designed to process 350 tonnes of waste daily, has now been extended by four months beyond the original target of December 2025. E-waste, short for electronic waste, includes discarded electrical or electronic devices. Many gadgets such as computers, smartphones, and other electronics contain harmful substances like lead, mercury, and flame retardants. When these devices are not disposed of properly, these toxic materials can seep into the soil and environment, posing serious risks to both humans and wildlife. United Nations has raised concerns about the growing global accumulation of electronic waste, noting that recycling efforts are insufficient. According to the UN's International Telecommunications Union and its research division UNITAR, approximately 62 million tonnes of e-waste were produced in 2022.
