Delhi-NCR, India: In a significant step towards addressing the escalating issue of electronic waste (e-waste) in India, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and Gramin Vikas Trust (GVT) have come together to implement a cutting-edge e-waste management program in the Delhi-NCR region. This initiative is designed to tackle the growing environmental and health concerns related to e-waste and aims to establish sustainable practices that can be scaled across the country.
Since its launch last year, the program has adopted a comprehensive 360-degree approach to supporting the government’s Reduce, Recycle, Reuse (RRR) centers and enhancing operations related to e-waste. Key elements of the project include upskilling waste workers, improving the management infrastructure, and engaging with local communities to raise awareness about the hazards of e-waste and encourage responsible disposal.
In honor of World Ozone Day on 16th September 2024, the project team held a special awareness session with 78 members of the community from the Sangam Vihar slums. The session aimed to educate the younger generation about the dangers of e-waste and the role they can play in mitigating its environmental impact. The children learned how e-waste contributes to climate change, particularly through the release of harmful chemicals that degrade the ozone layer and greenhouse gases that result from improper disposal.
During the event, the children participated in an interactive quiz to test their knowledge of e-waste, followed by an e-waste collection kiosk the following day. The kiosk garnered overwhelming support from the community, leading to the collection of 11 kilograms of e-waste. Each contributor was awarded a certificate, recognizing them as “Green Warriors” for their efforts in responsible e-waste disposal.
“We are thrilled with the community’s enthusiastic response to the e-waste collection drive. It reflects the growing awareness about the need for sustainable e-waste management practices in India,” said a spokesperson for GVT.
The session concluded with a powerful message to the children: “Proper electronic waste management is crucial for safeguarding both the environment and public health. It is vital that the government, industries, and society collaborate to implement sustainable solutions, reduce e-waste, and promote safe and responsible e-waste disposal practices.”
As India continues to grapple with the challenges posed by rapidly increasing e-waste, initiatives like this one provide hope for a more sustainable future. The partnership between SMBC and GVT is a model for how the private and nonprofit sectors can work together to address environmental concerns and protect future generations.
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