I recently had an eye-opening experience that made me realize the importance of addressing the e-waste problem. Through this blog, I want you to be more aware on this issue and be more informed about the steps we can take as a student community to make a difference.
It all began when our printer ran out of ink. Instinctively, I asked the house clerk for a new cartridge, but then realized that refilling the ink is a much more sustainable option that we never even thought of. While doing so, I discovered a stack of old cartridges that had been simply wasted. Upon looking further, I also found old mobile phones, chargers, and headphones in a drawer, all destined to be unsafely trashed in a few months. When I checked with my mom, I learned that we had been accumulating such e-waste for the last 2-3 years, with no plans for a proper disposal. This would have been the usual scenario if I hadn't come across “OneStepGreener”, an organization that collects e-waste from your doorstep and ensures its proper disposal.
Curious about the issue, I did some secondary research and was shocked to learn about the magnitude of the e-waste problem. According to a report by the United Nations, 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste was generated worldwide in 2019, with India being the third-largest contributor. Unfortunately, we recycle only 22% of the said waste, with the balance getting trashed in an informal and unorganised manner, releasing toxic chemicals during the process. I also had a chat with my dad, who introduced me to an entity called “KaroSambhav”, a company that works towards responsible disposal and recycling of electronic waste at a massive scale. Knowing about their work made me appreciative of the ways and means by which this issue can be tackled.
The key to addressing the e-waste problem lies in proper formal management and recycling in an organised fashion. E-waste recycling companies like KaroSambhav, Attero Recycling etc ensure that electronic waste is disposed of safely and responsibly, preventing harmful substances from polluting the environment. By recycling e-waste, we can also recover precious rare materials and reduce the demand for new resources.
The call to action is simple – we just need to remember to dispose of our e-waste periodically through the right waste management entities. While we may be aware of the problem and perhaps its solution too, inertia and complacency often prevents us from reaching out to such organisations.
To make it easier, consider a one-time tie-up with entities like OneStepGreener, who can collect e-waste from your doorstep periodically and dispose it through responsible channels like KaroSambhav. Additionally, we can organise collection drives in school to encourage our entire school community to handle its electronic garbage responsibly.
As students, we have a responsibility to address the e-waste problem. By taking small steps like proper disposal, we can contribute greatly to a greener and more sustainable future. Let's work together and make a difference, one electronic device at a time!
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