PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE / Dehradun
The Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) municipal commissioner Namami Bansal has said that the e-waste generation in the city is steadily increasing with the growing use of smartphones, laptops and electronic appliances but awareness about proper disposal of such waste remains low among residents.
Many households still throw old electronic gadgets along with regular household garbage or hand them over to scrap dealers without knowing whether they are being recycled properly.
Bansal said that the corporation is planning to strengthen separate e-waste collection under its proposed four-bin waste segregation system. She said that collection vehicles already have arrangements for e-waste but residents are still mixing electronic waste with normal garbage.
Bansal added that the separate collection system is still being streamlined. She said that illegal dumping and open burning of waste, especially e-waste, is strictly prohibited as it can release harmful substances into the environment.
She said that repeat violators can face fines of up to Rs 50,000 for burning e-waste or violating waste disposal rules. CCTV monitoring and complaints received through the CM Helpline are also being used to identify such cases. Awareness drives and collection campaigns have been organised in colleges, banks and university campuses to encourage safe disposal of electronic waste. Social media campaigns are also being run regularly.
She informed that Dehradun generates around 350 to 550 metric tonnes of solid waste every day. At present, more than 42 e-waste bins and 51 authorised repair and collection centres are operating across the city.
E-waste bins have been installed at several locations, including near Doon Hospital on New Road, Jakhan Ward Office, Harrawala, Patel Nagar, Miyanwala and IT Park on Sahastradhara Road.
Resident Geeta Rawat said that most people usually sell old phones, wires and damaged electronic items to Kabadiwalas along with other household scrap. She added that many families are still unaware about proper recycling facilities available in the city.
Bansal said that improving public awareness will be important to ensure electronic waste does not end up in drains, rivers and open dumping sites.
