Hyderabad's start-up gets 'World Economic Forum' praise

Hyderabad: Hyderabad-based start-up Sanshodhan, an E-Waste Exchange has been recognized as a “Highly Commended” start-up by the World Economic Forum for creating an ecosystem around e-waste.

This T-Hub affiliated start-up deals with e-waste management using Internet of Things (IoT), tracks the e-waste from origin till it is disposed implementing Circular Economy in the waste management sector. Co-founder Shalini Sharma, a doctorate in environment science, management and policy said, “Our strategy of tracking e-waste especially when it comes to industries and creating a circular economy has been commended by WEF. They will publish about us in their annual book on circular award which will come out soon”.

Launched on February 7, 2018, Sanshodhan is currently a part of T-Hub’s Lab 32 programme. The founder pointed out that while the industry was yet to get up to speed with disposal mec-hanisms of e-waste, citize-ns have become more aware in Hyderabad. Dr Sharma said, “Educated people especially in the city are becoming conscious and are aware that they need not give it to scrap dealers or throw it in the  dustbin. At several homes, electronic waste is getting piled up.”

She points out that about minimum of 3 per cent to a maximum of 7 per cent of e-waste goes to formal dismantlers depending upon the cities and 93 per cent of the waste is disposed inefficiently. “The health of the last man in the cycle is ignored while disposing the e-waste.  To solve the problem through the circular route we trace the e-waste upto the recycler and down to cycling”.

Apart from catering to citizens, Sanshodhan caters to bulk consumers like IT companies, manufacturers and is involved in knowledge and capacity building. Dr Sharma said, “There is a real need for recycling infrastructure in India. If we are planning for 100 smart cities, three things are a must - vermi composting, hazardous waste management, and recycling units for textile, e-waste, plastic among others.”

E-Waste Exchange has partnered with TS government, to support the implementation of e-Waste (Man-agement) Rules 2016 and Amendment 2018. It also works along with the Min-istry of Electronics  and Information Technology.