The Ministry of Mines, Government of India, is strengthening its E-Waste Collection Campaign under Special Campaign 6 with a focus on responsible e-waste management, resource recovery and promotion of a circular economy.

The campaign is being coordinated and implemented through the Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre (JNARDDC), Nagpur, designated as the Nodal Agency for the campaign, in association with the Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI). Collection and awareness activities are being undertaken at multiple locations by offices and organisations associated with the Ministry of Mines.

More than 44 office locations across the country have been finalised for the campaign. In Maharashtra alone, more than 28 locations have been identified for e-waste collection. The widespread participation of offices and organisations reflects the coordinated efforts being undertaken to promote responsible collection and disposal of e-waste. The Ministry of Mines office in New Delhi is also one of the identified collection locations under the campaign. E-waste collected at various participating locations will be channelised for responsible recycling and resource recovery through appropriate mechanisms.

E-waste is not merely a waste stream but also a potential source of valuable secondary resources. With several electronic products containing minerals and metals that are important for modern technologies, recycling and recovery from e-waste can contribute to resource efficiency and strengthen the circular economy for critical minerals. Responsible recycling can help recover valuable materials, reduce pressure on primary mineral resources and promote sustainable utilisation of resources.

As part of the preparatory activities for effective implementation of the campaign, JNARDDC has conducted virtual coordination meetings with designated Nodal Officers of various offices and organisations under the Ministry of Mines, including the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), National Institute of Rock Mechanics (NIRM), National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL), Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL) and Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL).

The Ministry and its field offices and organisations are also undertaking awareness activities, campaigns and competitions to encourage greater participation among employees and stakeholders. These activities aim to promote awareness about responsible e-waste disposal and encourage reuse, repurposing and recycling of discarded electronic and electrical products, wherever feasible.

Through the campaign, the Ministry is promoting Jan Bhagidari in resource conservation and encouraging responsible practices for the collection, segregation, recycling and recovery of materials from e-waste. The initiative also reinforces the broader objectives of Special Campaign 6 towards sustainable resource management, environmental responsibility and a circular economy.

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Prajith Kumar MV

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