E-waste Initiative launched in Pune amid rising electronic waste generation

A CSR initiative called the "E-waste Initiative" has been launched in Pune to tackle the rising waste problem in the city.
The initiative aims to lead a broad awareness and action campaign that is now in progress.
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It calls for collective efforts to engage communities and stakeholders in tackling e-waste—an essential move toward building a sustainable future for both the city and the country.
This comes amidst Pune Municipal Corporation's initiative to restart the electricity generation project using garbage saw little progress over the past two years, even though funds were allocated in the 2025-26 civic budget. The deadline to establish a plant at Ramtekdi, designed to process 350 tonnes of waste daily, has now been extended by four months beyond the original target of December 2025.
E-waste, short for electronic waste, includes discarded electrical or electronic devices. Many gadgets such as computers, smartphones, and other electronics contain harmful substances like lead, mercury, and flame retardants. When these devices are not disposed of properly, these toxic materials can seep into the soil and environment, posing serious risks to both humans and wildlife.
United Nations has raised concerns about the growing global accumulation of electronic waste, noting that recycling efforts are insufficient. According to the UN's International Telecommunications Union and its research division UNITAR, approximately 62 million tonnes of e-waste were produced in 2022.

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