An ‘e-waste bin’ and ‘Wall of Sharing Practice Platform’ were inaugurated by Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) Commissioner Dr Siddeswhar Baliram Bondar in presence of Senior Programme Officer of CUTS-International Amar Deep Singh and Youth for Social Development (YSD) secretary Bibhu Prasad Sahu.
For the first time in Brahmapur, the YSD developed and installed two e-waste bins, one at the Sai Complex, Gandhi Nagar and another at Mayuri Tower Complex, Girija Square.
The BeMC has been responsible to collect the discarded electrical or electronic devices from the e-waste bins. “The e-waste is the fastest growing category of waste in the world. The moment it is dismantled, it has hazardous effect on health and environment as it contains harmful chemicals and heavy metals,” said the BeMC Commissioner.
The e-waste has valuable metals and rare earth elements that need to be extracted and reused. It also contains toxic chemicals such as lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic which are harmful to human health and environment.
Used, worn-out keyboards, cables, modems, mobiles, cameras, CA drives, adapters, cassette players, hair dryers, chargers and phones can be dropped in the e-waste bin for safe reuse, refurbishment and recycling, said YSD coordinator CK Sahu.The ‘Wall of Sharing’ is fast catching up across India as a concept of circular economy. The message on the wall is plain and clear – “If you have something in excess, leave it here. What you need, take from here.” People from all walks of the society come and share their belongings in the wall and the ones in need pick up things for their use.
This is the third Wall of Sharing in Brahmapur now at Dhobabandhahuda Slum which was inaugurated by Amar Deep Singh of CUTS-International.