Kerala’s Local Self-Governments Department (LSGD) recently concluded a highly successful special drive, collecting an impressive 97,678.71 kg (nearly 97.67 tonnes) of electronic and hazardous e-waste. This concentrated effort took place over two and a half months, wrapping up on September 30, and involved 93 urban local bodies across the state, including 87 municipalities and six corporations.
The Clean Kerala Company Limited (CKCL), with the help of dedicated Haritha Karma Sena volunteers, spearheaded this monumental collection. Out of the total haul, 92,743.51 kg comprised general e-waste, while 4,935.2 kg was identified as hazardous electronic waste.
A notable aspect of the initiative was the purchase of this waste from its owners for a nominal fee. All e-waste deemed suitable for recycling was then responsibly transferred to recyclers approved by the Central Pollution Control Board. Critically, the hazardous e-waste was sent to Kerala Enviro Infrastructure Limited (KEIL) for safe and scientific processing, ensuring minimal environmental impact.
Leading the Charge: District Contributions
Ernakulam district emerged as the top performer in overall e-waste collection, gathering a remarkable 21,527.11 kg across its 14 urban local bodies. It was closely followed by Alappuzha with 16,386.52 kg and Kozhikode with 12,335 kg. On the other end of the spectrum, Wayanad district reported the smallest collection at 525 kg.
When it came to hazardous e-waste, Kannur district took the lead with a significant 3,660.9 kg. Ernakulam also showed strong performance in this category with 552.5 kg, followed by Kottayam at 365.5 kg.
The diverse range of items collected highlights the prevalence of electronic waste in daily life. This included everything from traditional CRT televisions, refrigerators, and washing machines to modern gadgets like laptops, CPUs, LCD/LED TVs, and printers. Also collected were air conditioners, various types of batteries, fluorescent lamps, UPS units, printed circuit boards, and other electronic devices commonly found in homes and offices.
Given the resounding success of the urban drive, a similar e-waste collection campaign was officially extended to the grama panchayats throughout the state on October 2. G.K. Sureshkumar, managing director of CKCL, expressed satisfaction, stating, “The drive in municipalities and Corporations was a success and will ensure the scientific disposal of e-waste. Following the campaign in the urban local bodies, we launched the panchayat drive to expand participation across the State. It will continue for at least a month.”
Fostering Public Engagement for a Cleaner Future
Officials from CKCL emphasize their ongoing collaboration with local bodies to maximize participation and ensure the collection process remains straightforward and accessible for all residents. The core goal of this important initiative is to raise public awareness about the critical need for responsible e-waste management. By making it easier for households and institutions to dispose of their old electronics through authorized channels, Kerala is taking significant steps towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.