E-waste management: role of Indian higher educational institutes

Abstract

Right from the kindergarten stage to the university level, the use of information and communications technology equipments is omnipresent in the schools across the world. The latest gadgets and gizmos always create a buzz on college campuses. Driven by rapid technological changes and a buoyant economy, today’s latest equipments may be PCs, laptops or cell phones become obsolete in no time. As a result, the thousands of tons of electronic waste are being created each year. According to the Manufacturers’ Association of Information Technology assessment, India produces almost 400,000 tons of e-waste each year. Out of which only 5% of the country’s e-waste is recycled, while at least 40% of obsolete and unused computers and electronic products languish in homes and warehouses. Indian educational institutes contribute to generation of e-waste largely followed by industries and hospitals. The current paper analyses e-waste awareness in Indian educational institutes and their efforts of e-waste management.