SHILLONG: Electronic waste is considered deadly and harmful but a welcome relief for citizens here has been the e-waste management initiative that could prevent threats to environment. Worn out computers, laptops, mobile phones lay stacked at the temporary shed of the Green Skill Development Programme under Environmental Information System sponsored by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change at the State Central Library as government departments and individuals alike dumped e-wastes on Friday.
The collected wastes will be either recycled or discarded safely. ENVIS coordinator and assistant professor of NEHU, Dinesh Bhatia said life of any electronic device is about 10-15 years and it is the responsibility of the producer to pick it up after its life span is over.
“It was going to wrong places and causing danger to people working with waste management. We are sensitising the public about unused electronic items they have at home or work place to discard it to our partners here so that they can be recycled,” he added.
Informing that during the last drive they recovered about 2,000 kg electronic waste from Shillong, Bhatia said they are spreading the news to the communities and the response is good.
He said that Meghalaya produces less electronic waste as compared to Assam and other states, but the problem will go to great magnitude if it is not nipped in the bud.
Meanwhile, M Shullai, a student who came to discard his computer monitor, said it is necessary that such drives be conducted so that people would be aware of the dangers and help saving the environment.
Another individual from the Education Department, B. Khyriem said that the drive is important as e-wastes consist of harmful chemicals and affects the environment and such drives help people to discard their e-wastes in a proper manner.
