NGO plans to tackle e-waste problems

To tackle the growing problem of electronic waste (E-waste) EcoSarjan has joined hands with Baroda IT Association (BITA) to collect E-waste and dispose it of scientifically. As estimated by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), electronic waste will grow at a whopping 500% in the coming decades.

Dipan Shah, director EcoSarjan, says, "We have been campaigning for E-waste for the past two years and this year we decided joined hands with BITA for the same. We will set up a collection centre at the latter's IT exhibition that will be held between February 17 and 19 in Baroda. After the event is over, a permanent collection centre will be set up there."

Following this, Shah said, collection centres will be established across Gujarat. The drive is being supported by Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) and Vadodara Municipal Sewa Sadan (VMSS).

Shah has joined the Federation of IT Associations of Gujarat (FITA) of which BITA is a part. Speaking about the MoU with FITA, Shah said, "Our work is to replicate the collection centre at all IT exhibitions in Gujarat and also to extend the productive life of computer systems, wherein we collect and refurbish them, and deliver them to those who require them, for free."

The Society for Environment Protection (SEP) through its EcoSarjan project has been working on the issue of E-waste since 2009. It has evolved a comprehensive plan for E-waste awareness and management campaign for Gujarat.