JK Pollution Control Committee flags off On- Wheels e-Waste collection van, awareness drive across J&K

Jammu : In continuation to the initiatives launched to create doorstep awareness on E-waste across 20 districts of J&K, Chairperson J&K Pollution Control Committee, Dr. Neelu Gera on Friday virtually flagged off On -Wheels E-waste Collection Centre (E-waste Mobile Collection Van) in presence of Member Secretary, J&K Pollution Control Committee, K. Ramesh Kumar and a doorstep awareness drive in collaboration with PRO Saahas Zero Waste and their partners, , Xiaomi India, LG India, EPSON India, Namo E-waste Management, Red FM, MIER College of Education and ELFA International.
The event was launched 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.
Dr. Neelu Gera, Chairperson, JKPCC appreciated the innovative initiative by the officials of JKPCC, PRO Saahas Zero Waste and its partners to conduct the awareness drive in J&K. 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.
She further added that effective collection mechanism established by PROs and working in coordination with concerned local bodies in various districts can play a vital role in e-waste management.
K. Ramesh Kumar, Member Secretary, J&K Pollution Control Committee, briefed that electronics 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.
Sat Paul, Regional Director, Pollution Control Committee, appealed to consumers to play a responsible role in ensuring safe collection and disposal of all types of electronic waste.
Commenting on the launch of the drive, Murali Krishnan B, President, Xiaomi India, informed that, “As India’s No 1 Smartphone and Smart TV brand, the focus of Xiaomi is not only on responsible recycling, but also educating, spreading awareness towards e-waste management amongst consumers. He further appreciated the JKPCC’s initiative of ‘Mass awareness and launch of On Wheels E-waste Collection Centre’ is an important step towards building a sustainable and future ready tomorrow. He expressed immense pride in being a part of this e-waste drive in partnership with Saahas Zero waste.
The Representative from LG Electronics pointed out that the company is committed to sustainable practices and referred to the launching of multiple initiatives including a digital campaign #UPGRADERESPONSIBLY in year 2021 towards creating awareness for responsible disposal of E waste. The Company congratulated JKPCC and Saahas Zero Waste on the launch of E-waste awareness drive across J&K.
The Representatives from Epson reiterated their commitment to ensure sustainability of the environment by focussing on improving the environmental performance of their products. He further added that Epson India is facilitating the creation of a system for development and implementation of a responsible e-waste management system through PROs, by conducting awareness campaigns and collection programs with consumers, bulk Consumers, Waste Pickers and Waste Aggregators etc. and congratulated the JKPCC and Saahas Zero Waste on the launch of E-waste awareness drive across J&K.
Shobha Raghavan, COO of Saahas Zero Waste highlighted the urgent need for last mile engagement by Electronics Producers , PROs , Ewaste Recyclers , Government departments / agencies and citizens through partnerships and strengthening the formal collection mechanisms to support the responsible disposal and handling of e-waste.
Akshay, M.D Namo Ewaste Management stressed on the need for recyclers to show pan India capacities for supporting recycling of all the collected e-waste materials.
CEO ELFA International Mehran Khan expressed his happiness to integrate the e-waste awareness sessions into their whole school safety program with an aim to add additional value to their current work on inclusive education and expanding the various dimensions thereof.
R.J Sarang representing Superhits 91.9 RED FM, who is also part of this awareness drive, assured their full support to this campaign by airing audio clips regarding e-waste, to motivate consumers and bulk consumers to ensure e-waste management in J&K in a very scientific manner.
On the Occasion, NSS/NCC/Eco-club volunteers from various district colleges, viz., GGM Science College, Jammu, P.S.P.S. Govt. PG college for Women, Gandhi Nagar, GDC, Reasi, GDC, Samba, GDC for Women Kathua and Govt. SPMR College of Commerce, Jammu were felicitated for their participation in the door step E-waste awareness campaign launched by JKPCC on 30-06-2022 for one month.
The event was attended by Sat Paul, Regional Director, JKPCC, Jammu, Kulbhushan Khajuria, Joint Commissioner, JMC, Dr. Sanna Khan, Deputy Director, Urban Local Bodies, Jammu, J.N. Sharma, EE, JKPCC, Smt. Neelu Sharma, PSO, JKPCC, Dr. Yashpaul Salgotra, Head Labs, Vinod Sharma, Health Officer, JMC Nodal Officer E-waste, JKPCC, Jammu, Smt. Anuradha, all Divisional Officers / Scientists, JKPCC among other senior officers of the Committee and Nodal Officers e-waste from all districts of J&K.