“Be the change you wish to see in the world” — Mahatma Gandhi
“Update: ZeroWaste is now InstaCash”
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” — Charles Darwin
First of all I thank our Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, for starting Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and calling the people to participate in creating a clean India beyond politics.
India is aiming towards becoming an economic superpower and in such circumstances cleanliness becomes more logical. A clean home is more hospitable to its visitors and subsequently brings greater investment to Indian economy. Cleanliness directly promotes social growth and economic activity.
The Prime Minister’s call for Digital India has created great enthusiasm among people of India as well as abroad. Digital infrastructure, delivery of services and digital literacy are the aims of Digital India and electronic inclusion of people will strengthen Indian democracy with highly accountable and transparent government. It is evident that this electronic inclusion will gear up the generation of electronic waste with computers, laptops, mobile phones and other telecommunication equipment as major source of E-Waste.
E-waste consists of waste electrical & electronic equipment that are to be discarded. India generates about 1.5 Million tonnes of E-waste each year. UN predicted that by 2020 e-waste from computers would jump by 500 percent and from discarded mobile phones would be 18 times higher than 2007 level in India. Electronic waste itself does not cause direct damage to us but unscientific processing of this scrap is detrimental to human health and wellbeing.
WHO in its E-Waste and Child Health Initiative report has warned about these consequences of e-waste. National Green Tribunal has also expressed similar concern about e-waste causing broad spectrum of ecological damage. Therefore, its about time that e-waste be managed through environmentally sound processes causing least harm to human health and environment and checking its diversion to landfills or incineration plants.
Indian government has recognised the problem of e-waste and has made E- waste (Management & handling), Rules, 2011 but due to lack of proper awareness among the private and government bodies the problem is being ignored. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan puts focus on awareness and aims to ensure 100% collection and scientific processing/disposal reuse/recycle of Municipal Solid Waste. Therefore, its only logical that Electronic Waste is included in this campaign. This will generate awareness among citizens and will ensure proper management of e-waste.
I started this petition because I want the e-waste problem to be included in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to minimize damage to human health and environment.
Please join us in calling our Prime Minister to include the E-Waste in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan for a responsible Electronic Democracy and YES!!!! for a better tomorrow.
Note: This post was originally published in January 2015 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.