Gyalshing, 28 June(IPR):
A meeting on the recently launched Electronic Waste (E-Waste) Management project was convened today at the conference hall of District Administration Centre, Rabdentse, Gyalshing district, presided over by DC Smt. YD Yongda and attended by ADC Gyalshing, SDMs Gyalshing & HQ, ADC Development, BDOs Chongrang & Gyalshing, along with AD AHVS, MEO, DPO and other officers of the district.
Shri. Pankaj Gupta of Ms. J.S. Pigments, Kolkata, made a detailed presentation over power point on the hazards of e-waste and mechanisms for its Reduce, Recover, Reuse, Recycle and disposal in accordance with the E-Waste Management and Handling Rules 2016. He highlighted that JS Pigments, certified by the Pollution Control Boards of Sikkim & West Bengal, has been working in this field for the last ten years and that ewaste contains many toxic elements such as Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Beryllium Oxide, Sulphur etc. On the other hand recyclable elements can be retrieved from ewaste such as Aluminum, iron,
precious Metals (gold, silver), Copper
tin, zinc,Silicon etc.
The DC in her remarks articulated that the District Administration encourages all offices, households and individuals to collect their ewaste and deposit it periodically at the Collection Centre established at the DAC. She reiterated that all departments must adhere to the circular issued for ewaste collection at respective office complexes, institutions, GPUs. MEO - GNP and ADC Development were instructed to immediately set up proper collection mechanisms for Urban and Gramin areas respectively. The MEO mentioned that a collection centre has been planned at the GNP office area that would cater to ewaste of Gyalshing bazaar. The DC further appealed to everyone present for awareness at the grassroots level on engaging in this waste collection drive through fora such as Gram Sabhas and Jan Sunwais and other public gatherings. Once the ewaste collection attains around 5 tonnes (one truckload), it would then be taken by the Recycling company to be recycled at their centre in West Bengal. DC also briefed everyone that the Distt Administration would soon be signing an MoU with the SPCB certified agency.
The resource person, Shri. Gupta presented and explained further on categories of electrical & electronic equipment, responsibilities of the manufacturer, responsibilities of the producer, responsibilities of consumer, storage of E-Waste, toxic substances present and effects on environment, effects on human health, recyclable elements found in the E-Waste, environmental benefits of recycling E-Waste, informal sector recycling and collection & recycling process. He also expressed his gratitude towards the DC and District Administration for involvement and collaboration with JS Pigments Private limited.
The meeting concluded with the vote of thanks to the chair