NEWS

 

City-based Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action (CISSA) on Tuesday kicked off an initiative to create awareness and sensitise school students to better management of e-waste. As part of the programme, a students’ sensitisation programme on managing e-waste was held at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Pattom. An interactive programme sensitised students about the need to manage e-waste and also explored means to recycling it.

The initiative is part of New Delhi-based Toxics Link’s efforts aimed at ‘educating the youth of India and school children regarding environment, especially e-waste recycling issues’. CISSA is the designated organising partner for the programme in Kerala.

According to C Suresh Kumar, general secretary, CISSA, “The main objective of the programme is to work towards better management of e-waste in the country, create awareness and promote safer responsible handling, recycling and disposal. The student and youth groups are seen as effective change makers and can influence the family behaviour and hence are a key entry point for e-waste management.�

The classes were handled by Priti Mahesh, senior programme co-ordinator, Toxics Link; S Neerada, principal, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Pattom; Rani, vice-principal; G Pramod, representative of Earth Sense Recycle Pvt Ltd; C Suresh Kumar and K G Ajit.

As part of the awareness programme, Toxics Link and CISSA are planning an awareness campaign in 50 schools in Thiruvananthapuram district in July-August.

As part of the programme, e-waste bins will be installed in these schools  which will later be collected and recycled. The organisers have entered into an agreement with Earth Sense Recycle Pvt Ltd , an e-waste recycler in the state, to take all e-waste collected in this way for recycling.

CISSA would add 100 more schools in the initiative in the second phase, which would begin in the next three months.