CHENNAI: E-Cap, an e-waste collection and awareness programme took place on Friday for the students from in and around 100 schools in Chennai, to get them to do their bit for waste management.
Held at SRM University Vadapalani, the initiative was started by Young Indians, a part of confederation of Indian Industry, Industrial Waste Management Association and Tes-amm, a recycler. “Less than 1 per cent of e-waste is going into recycling. The collection awareness is strongly lacking,” said Indira Priyadarshini, the head of the chemistry department of the college. E-waste contains several hazardous materials, which will affect the land, water & air during improper and illegal recycle or disposal.
The informal sector has been barred from handling e-waste but, it is continuing to leak into illegal channels due to lack of awareness and compliance.The students were encouraged to handle their own waste, and were inspired by the advice from environmentalist Arun Krishnamurthy to not depend on anyone but take up responsibility.
A pledge was taken by the students to be more aware with regards to e-waste, and a website e-cap.in was launched by Kamal Singh, director, Danfoss India, and the students were all set to use the collectionc entres at their schools, and also spread the awareness about the initiative to their neighbours and friends.
