e-waste collection drive begins in Shimla

Shimla, February 4

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The Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board has launched a three-day e-waste Awareness-cum-Collection drive in collaboration with Karo Sambhav, a circular economy organisation.

Under the drive, a mobile van will travel across the town to collect e-waste from various locations.

This e-waste collection drive was inaugurated by Sanjay Gupta, chairman, HP State Pollution Control Board, who flagged off a mobile van on Saturday from HP State Pollution Control Board, New Shimla, to Kasumpti and Panthaghati areas of the town.

This mobile van will be collecting e-waste from the localities of Shimla. Today, the van collected e-waste from Dhalli, Sanjauli, Nav Bahar, Chhota Shimla, Khalini and Kanglog. On Monday, mobile van will visit Boileauganj, Summer Hill, Totu and Jatogh.

Gupta, in a press note issued here said that e-waste, which is one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally, poses a significant environmental threat. “The surge in electronic device usage directly correlates with the increase in e-waste production. This waste category encompasses any electronic or electric device at the end of its life cycle,” Gupta said.

“A similar collection drive will be carried out in Solan from February 6 to 8,” he said.

Gupta said the hazardous materials, including lead, cadmium, mercury, and brominated flame retardants, can inflict severe harm to environment and human health if not disposed scientifically.

Anil Joshi, Member Secretary, HP State Pollution Control Board, requested the citizens of Shimla and Solan to actively participate in the drive by depositing or donating their e-waste to the mobile van. “Collected e-waste will be sent to authorised recyclers for safe and scientific disposal and recycling. Participation in this campaign contributes to the responsible management of e-waste, an essential step toward a sustainable future,” he said.