First e-waste management unit of AP begins operation in Vizag.

IN yet another major step to curb environment pollution, the first e-waste management unit of the state has started functioning in Gajuwaka in the Port City. The Green Waves Recyclers, authorised by Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) for safe disposal of electronic waste and in collaboration of the GVMC, has set up 50 e-waste collection bin across the city.

The Port City generates an estimated 500 MT of e-waste per annum and experts say that in the wake of advent of new technology various existing electronic gadgets are becoming obsolete fast and given the trend, the quantum of the e-waste being produced in the city now will be doubled in the next five years.

With electronic waste becoming a serious threat to environment, the APPCB is encouraging entrepreneurs to set up e-waste management units for safe disposal of the disused electronic gadgets. As part of its initiative, the Green Waves Recyclers has started collecting disused electronic gadgets from the citizens’ doorstep. In the first phase, the Gajuwaka unit will recycle 40 MT of e-waste per month.

E-waste, otherwise called as electronic junk, comprises old, disused electronic gadgets such as cell phones, electric lamps, tape-recorders, radio, ipod and stereo, CDs, DVDs, batteries, old television sets and computers and so on.

“Before starting the unit, we did a survey on the e-waste being generated in the city. Apart from the e-waste bins, vehicles will collect the junk products from households. We will recycle them in a scientific manner approved by the APPCB,” P Anil Choudary, MD of Green Waves Recyclers told Express.

THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS