80% of Indians are cognizant of the meaning of e-waste and the necessity to use special measures to dispose of it, according to a joint survey conducted by Cerebra Green, the leaders in e-waste management and MAIT. However, the same citizens tend to dispose e-waste through incorrect means due to a lack of alternative avenues, the survey also revealed.
68% of those surveyed stated that they do not view local waste collectors as an option to dispose e-waste, a belief that is reflected by the waste collectors themselves as 72% of participants stated that local waste collectors do not pick up e-waste in their area. This has forced 90% of citizens to dispose e-waste by means of online exchanges or local electronics vendors. Furthermore, 50% stated that they own 2 or more devices that they no longer use, which they continue to hoard for up to 5 years, thereby heightening the possibility of incorrect disposal.
On a more encouraging note, however, 83% of those surveyed stated that they would be extremely willing to properly dispose of their e-waste if assured of the environmentally-safe nature of the disposal process.
As part of its efforts to address the issues raised by the survey’s results, Cerebra has partnered with Manufacturers Association of Information and Technology (MAIT), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change (MOEFCC) and Digital India to launch the ‘India Cleanup Week’, the first and potentially largest cleanup drive in India targeted at the proper and efficient disposal of e-waste. As part of the initiative, e-waste collection will take place in three major forms: collection officers for individual home-pickup, public collection centers and pickup trucks for commercial establishments. MAIT will offer certificate of recognition to corporates which are participating by joining Cerebra during the week.
Analyzing the results, V Ranganathan, Managing Director and Founder, Cerebra Integrated Technologies said, “E-waste awareness in the country is paramount and the results of the survey indicate that citizens are already moving towards this awareness quickly. We will continue to build in-depth knowledge among Indians and other stakeholders around e-waste management and look forward to our associate with MAIT in making this endeavor a success.”
