Shimla: Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board, in collaboration with M/s Karo Sambhav, has announced a comprehensive E-Waste Awareness cum Collection Drive in Shimla and Solan as if all e-waste is generated in two towns only in Himachal.
The initiative, aimed at fostering responsible e-waste disposal and scientific recycling, will unfold from the 3rd to the 5th of February 2024 in Shimla, followed by a continuation from the 6th to the 8th of February 2024 in Solan.
The inauguration ceremony took place at the Board's headquarters in New Shimla, where Shri Sanjay Gupta (IAS), Chairman of the HP State Pollution Control Board, flagged off a dedicated mobile van on February 3, 2023.
This mobile van is set to traverse Shimla, following a planned route to collect e-waste from various key locations.
The Mega Collection Drive Route Plan for Shimla spans three days, with specific routes covering areas like New Shimla, Kasumpti, Panthaghati, Sanjauli, Dhalli, Chota Shimla, Navbahar, Khalini, Kanlog, Tuti Kandi, Totu, Summerhill, Boileauganj, and Jatough.
For Solan, the Drive Route Plan unfolds over three days as well, with the journey kicking off from the Municipal Corporation Office in Solan and covering Chambaghat, Kandaghat, Kotlanala, Rabon, Deonghat, Dharampur, Kumarhatti, Darlaghat, Arki, and Kunihar on subsequent days.
Shri Sanjay Gupta emphasized the pivotal role of media in spreading awareness about the harmful effects of improper e-waste disposal.
E-waste is a growing waste streams globally, poses a severe environmental threat due to hazardous materials like lead, cadmium, mercury, and brominated flame retardants, he claimed.
These materials can cause significant harm to the environment and human health if not disposed of or recycled properly, he said.
Sh. Anil Joshi , Member Secretary of the HP State Pollution Control Board, called upon the citizens of Shimla and Solan to actively contribute to the drive by depositing or donating their e-waste to the mobile van.
He emphasized the collective effort required to protect the environment, and assured that the collected e-waste would be directed to authorized recyclers for safe and scientific disposal and recycling.
Rrepresentatives of M/s Karo Sambhav, Mr. Jitender Bharadwaj, E-waste Specialist, and Ms. Sreepriya Sridharan, Manager-Strategic Alliance & Partnerships also attended the campaign.
Pollution Board didnot give details of the e-waste collected and how it is disposed off.
