2 tonnes of electronic waste collected at centre over 2 yrs

PUNE: The Satellite collection point, set up in September 2017 at the Loknete Sharadchandraji Pawar Multipurpose Complex in Dhankawadi, has collected around two tonnes of e-waste in last two years.

Vishal Tambe, a corporator of Dhankawadi said, “I am happy that we are on track in the collection of more and more e-waste every year. We have been raising awareness about the issue as it can plague the future generations if we do not take care of it now itself. We are also looking at upgrading to more sophisticated collection bins that can have separate sections for different kinds of e-waste.” 

The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) in association with SWaCH and waste pickers’ cooperative are ensuring that the e-waste does not go to the grey market. Therefore, a system has been set up wherein, the monthly collection is recorded, an inventory is created and the e-waste is disposed of in the right way. 

Smita Rajabali, Project Head at SWaCH said, “In collaboration with the PMC and elected representatives, the centre is accessible 24x7 with no fear of loss or theft, making it very convenient to access and for us to operate. The transparency in the system is reassuring to them. If such centres are set up all across the city, it would have a huge impact in ensuring safe recycling of electronic waste. One key element has been that the citizens are regularly dropping off their e-waste in the locality.”