Visakhapatnam: The port city which is being projected as the ‘IT Hub’ of Andhra Pradesh is generating about 280 to 300 metric tonnes of e-wastes now, according to the AP pollution control board report. But, large chunk of them is going as landfill or unscientifically being dismantled by scrap dealers harming the environment.
To address the issue and moreover to comply with the new E-Waste Management Rules-2016, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation has roped in a private player, Green Waves Environment Solution (GWES).
According to rule, Urban Local Bodies (Municipal Committee/ Council /Corporation) are responsible to collect and channelise the orphan products to authorised dismantler or recycler.
The APPCB, in 2016, had issued licence to the same farm for recycling, but after the official agreement with GVMC, the company could collect electronic junks not only from houses, industries but also from the municipal corporation after segregation of the wastes.
The GWES in association with GVMC would plant special bins for the e-wastes at specific locations even at residential societies. The municipal corporation could also earn revenue from it as the company would have to pay for the e-wastes.
“We are now authorised to collect the e-wastes from the GVMC limits and also the segregated e-wastes. The agreement would largely help to recycle the e-wastes, which is need of the hour as the electronic wastes are increasing rapidly and their safe disposal and recycle is very important. We even collect the e-wastes door-to-door,” said Anil Potluri, the managing director of GWES.
On the other hand, people or industries mostly don’t give e-wastes to the authorised recycle company as they get good money for the wastes from scrap dealers.
“It’s not that all the denizens have same attitude. However, large chunk of people are yet to understand the harm they do upon the planet by selling their e-wastes to scrap dealers. The amount the scrap dealers offer to the people, we can’t as good amount of money goes for recycling of the wastes and we come under tax ambit. We have been conducting many awareness programmes in this connection,” said Mr Anil.
