Mumbai: An agency, which has partnered with BMC for the collection and disposal of e-waste, managed to collect over 15,000 kgs of e-waste in the city over a four-month period. From mobile phones to chargers, laptops, tablets, televisions, refrigerators, earphones, and modems, among others, a range of electronic items are collected by the agency appointed by BMC for collecting e-waste from residential societies, schools, corporates, govt offices, and small businesses, among other establishments.“There was no dedicated service for the collection of e-waste till recently. Electrofine Recycling, which has been collecting e-waste in partnership with other municipalities, reached out to BMC to start a similar service, and the civic body is just facilitating it. Once the establishment registers for the collection service, the firm will schedule a pickup. The firm will also pay a token amount depending on the category of e-waste to the establishment from where the waste is being collected,” said a civic official.While a CPU will fetch Rs 250 per unit, a laptop will fetch Rs 200, a mobile phone charger Rs 20, and a lead acid battery will fetch Rs 25 per kg. “The firm commenced the collection service in May, and a range of electrical and electronic items are being collected as part of the service and sent to two centres outside the city, where they are processed or refurbished,” a civic official added.“Scientific processing of e-waste is necessary, and it has to be ensured that it does not get mixed with wet or dry waste. A separate agency has been appointed, which will collect e-waste and process it. BMC is facilitating the collection, and it is the agency which picks it up,” said BMC Deputy Municipal Commissioner Kiran Dighavkar.Bhagwan Keshbhat, of Waatavaran, said, “This is a great initiative, as e-waste is hazardous and it should not be going to the landfill. Collection of e-waste is a tangible intervention, and the civic body can also look at collecting clothing material and thermocol too.”
