An e-waste producer responsibility organization, Karo Sambhav launched an e-waste collection drive in Meghalaya along with awareness initiative among schools, bulk consumers, repair shops, aggregators and waste pickers.
The organization is working in association with the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board on reaching out to bulk consumers specially the government departments.
Interacting with media in Shillong, the environmental engineer of Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, Wanshan Kharkrang, said that recycling of e-wastes would be made possible in the next five years.
The State is estimated to have over two tonnes of e-waste.
Meanwhile, founder of Karo Sambhav, Pranshu Singhal said Karo Sambhav backed by India’s top electronic producers including Apple, HP, Lenovo, Dell has set up a collection system in the state based in Shillong.
According to Singhal, e-waste can be disposed only through a producer driven collection mechanism.
He added that bulk consumers are required to file e-waste return annually by June 30, informing the State Pollution Control Board about the kilograms of e-waste disposed.
As per the E-waste Management Rules 2016, a producer selling their product in a certain State is also liable for collection of ‘End of Life’ products, besides running awareness programme.
Notably, Karo Sambhav has collected more than 1100 tonnes from across the country as part of countrywide collection programme.
In Meghalaya, the collection is about 2,000 kgs.