E-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams on the planet. Already, we produce around 50 million tonnes of it each year. And that number’s only set to increase as electronics become more accessible worldwide.
So, what is e-waste?
E-waste, or electronic waste, encompasses electrical and electronic equipment that’s outdated, unwanted, or broken. That means everything from smartphones to end-of-life refrigerators. Anything that runs on electricity that you’ve decided to eliminate. Globally, we only recycle 10% of our e-waste, a number that’s as shocking as it is depressing. As for the 90% we don’t recycle, it ends up getting landfilled, incinerated, or illegally traded.
What makes e-waste so bad?
Electronics comprise a lot of chemicals – including poisonous ones. Liquid-crystal display screens contain mercury, cathode-ray tubes have lead, and there’s cadmium in batteries and semiconductors. Dumping e-waste into a landfill means those chemicals can leach into the soil and water. E-waste releases toxins into the air, causing continued pollution.
Jai Hind College students conduct an e-waste drive!
Jai Hind College students, in coordination with the department of IT and B.Voc Software Development, undertook the challenge of organizing the biggest e-waste drive the college has ever witnessed!
This drive, held in August 2019, witnessed students, teachers, and members of the staff contribute. An e-waste bin was set up on the college premises for two consecutive days. Students went door-to-door in residencies to collect e-waste from their vicinity. People who contributed towards the e-waste bin received a certificate as a token of appreciation.
At the end of the drive, students were able to collect a whopping 450kg of e-waste. This e-waste, comprising laptops, handsets, earphones, hard drives, and everything in between, was sent for recycling. Ms. Rashmi Joshi, who was also the guest of honor for the event, coordinated with the faculty at Jai Hind to ensure that this e-waste was processed properly.
Mr. Ashok Wadia, principal at Jai Hind College, graced this momentous occasion with his presence. He applauded the efforts of the department to build a greener future. He also congratulated the faculty, students, and volunteers for their noteworthy efforts. The IT-BVOC Department at Jai Hind was able to erase their e-waste!