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On a clean drive: NGOs install e-waste bins
Source: The Bengal Post, Date: , 2012
KOLKATA: All the e-waste you generate
can now be properly disposed of as city-based social service organisations are
setting up ewaste bins at several prominent locations in Kolkata. The city
generates 2.5 lakh tonne of e-waste annually. The initiative aims at spreading
awareness on the need for proper and safe recycling..NGO Toxics Link, began
installing ewaste bins from June 5 at Paryavaran Bhavan, the headquarters of
the state pollution control board in Salt Lake and at the Indian Museum.
“The aim behind putting up
these bins is to create awareness among the common public regarding e-waste and
to also give them an opportunity to dispose of it in a responsible manner. The
locations selected are primarily public locations where there would be high
visibility,” said Priti Mahesh, senior programme coordinator, Toxics Link.
E-waste bins have also been
installed at the National Library, Birla Science and Technology Museum, the
Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management on College Street,
the State Bank of India head office on Strand Road and CESC’s Victoria House
headquarters. The NGO also plans to install e-waste bins at all Metro stations
in the future. Mahesh said: “The city, being the eastern hub, also receives
waste from neighbouring states. Since there has been little work on e-waste in
the city in terms of awareness as well as setting up of a clean channel,
environmental concerns due to informal recycling are high. So, we plan to
create some action in the city.”
According to Mahesh, Toxics
Link has tied up with Gurgaon-based recycling company Earthsense Pvt. Ltd which
has an office in Kolkata to collect and recycle the waste collected from
e-waste bins. Besides setting up bins at prominent locations across the city,
Toxics Link is also conducting awareness programmes. One of the programmes,
according to Mahesh, would be for Calcutta University-affiliated colleges where
other university representatives would also be present.
“Public campaigns have
already been held targeting large electronics users such as banks and
hospitals. We have also done some e-waste campaigns in schools in Kolkata, Asansol,
Durgapur and Darjeeling,” said Mahesh.
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