The objective of the drive is to ensure eco-friendly re-cycling and scientific collection and disposal of e-waste. | Photo Credit: K_Ananthan more-in The district administration is planning to launch a toll-free e-waste collection helpline, which will bring volunteers to one’s doorstep to collect damaged laptops and mobile phones. The volunteers will also collect e-waste from common collection points. The initiative is part of efforts by District Collector K. Mohammed Y. Safirulla to make Kochi e-waste-free. A meeting will soon be called to chalk out the finer details of the drive. The Ernakulam District Residents’ Association Apex Council (EDRAAC) will partner with the district administration in the mission. The other participating agencies are Haritha Keralam Mission, Clean Kerala Company, and GJ Eco Power Pvt. Ltd., the private partner in the waste-to-energy project of the Kochi Corporation at Brahmapuram, according to officials associated with the project. The objective of the drive using technology is to ensure eco-friendly re-cycling and scientific collection and disposal of e-waste. The organisers plan to deploy small and medium goods carriers to collect e-waste. Residents’ role Residents’ associations can take the lead in collecting e-waste at a common point, from where it will be shifted by volunteers to a material collection facility. It will be later taken to authorised re-cycling centres short-listed by government agencies. By collecting e-waste from one’s doorstep, the authorities hope to have a professional and well-organised collection mechanism for Kochi. Moreover, it will discourage people from discarding e-waste in open areas. The initiative will also go a long way in stopping unauthorised vendors from throwing away e-waste after extracting materials like gold, silver, and copper from it. Unscientific disposal of e-waste poses a threat to the ecosystem in view of the possibility of hazardous materials like mercury and lead contaminating soil and water resources. To begin with, the district administration plans to collect e-waste for three months in a year. It will be extended on the basis of assessments made by the implementing agencies on completion of the first phase. A decision on making it a permanent system will be taken on the basis of evaluations by government agencies and the district administration.

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