Shimla- The Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board, in partnership with M/s Shiwalik Waste Management Limited and M/s Inner Wheel Club of Shimla Midtown, has commenced a significant initiative to raise awareness about the responsible disposal of electronic waste.
This campaign coincides with World E-waste Day 2023, which was celebrated on October 14, 2023.
The "State-wide E-Waste Collection-cum-Awareness Drive" will run from March 16 to March 21, 2023. Sh. Sanjay Gupta (IAS), Hon’ble Chairman of the HP State Pollution Control Board, officially kicked off the initiative by flagging off a mobile van on March 16, 2023, at the HP State Pollution Control Board's head office.
The van will collect e-waste from various parts of Shimla city, following a specific route plan:
October 16: Phase-III HPSPCB HQ, BCS, New Shimla, Khalini, DC Office, Shimla (collection kiosk at DC Office Shimla)
October 17: D.C. Office, Shimla
October 18: H.P. Secretariat, Shimla
October 19: Kanlog, Khalini, Chota Shimla, Sanjauli, Dhalli, Bhattakufur
October 20: Panthaghati, Kasumpti, Vikasnagar, Mehli, Malyana
October 21: Fagli, Tuti Kandi, Chakkar, Tutu - Tara Devi
The mobile van will be stationed at DC Shimla on October 17, 2023, and at HP Secretariat, Chhota Shimla, on October 18, 2023.
The initiative also extends to the 11 regional offices across Himachal Pradesh, including Baddi, Bilaspur, Mandi, Shimla, Rampur, Parwanoo, Dharmashala, Una, Paonta Sahib, Kullu, and Chamba. These offices will open kiosks from 16th to 21st October, allowing the public to deposit their e-waste from 10 AM to 5 PM. To encourage participation, a support price for e-waste has been fixed:
- Smartphones: Rs. 20/-
- Keypad phones: Rs. 5/-
- Laptops: Rs. 120/-
- Computers: Rs. 150/-
- Other types of e-wastes: Rs. 15/-
E-waste is a rapidly growing global concern. The toxic materials present in electronic devices, such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and brominated flame retardants, can harm the environment and human health if not disposed of properly.
Sh. Sanjay Gupta stressed the importance of media's role in raising awareness about the hazards of improper e-waste disposal and encouraged them to join the State Board's campaign. He expressed his gratitude to the collaborators for supporting the initiative.
Sh. Anil Joshi (IFS), Member Secretary of the HP State Pollution Control Board, urged all citizens to participate in the drive by donating their e-waste.
The collected e-waste will be sent to authorized dismantlers, refurbishers, and recyclers for safe and scientific disposal, preventing threats to human health and the environment. Participation in this campaign is a crucial step toward a sustainable future.
The initiative seeks to address the pressing issue of e-waste and promote responsible disposal practices, making Himachal Pradesh a frontrunner in environmental conservation.
