Apeejay students pledge to take up green leadership on International E-Waste Day

As per the United Nation’s latest Global E-Waste Monitor, in 2022, 62 billion kg of e-waste were generated globally. This is the equivalent of 1.55 million trucks filled with e-waste lined up along the whole of the Earth’s equator. The amount of e-waste generated is growing five times faster than formal recycling collection rates since 2010 and will reach 82 billion kg by 2030. Thus, International E-Waste Day (#ewasteday) was created to help tackle this global problem.

And the 2024’s edition runs under the slogan “Join the e-waste hunt – retrieve, recycle, and revive!” focusing on the forgotten electronics that people have in their homes, but which contain valuable materials that could gain a new life.

Therefore, participating in this mission, members of Apeejay Stya University, Gurugram attended a session on International E-Waste Day. The resource person for the session was Dr Renu Sharma, Head of Research and Advocacy, HME Waste Management.

The engaging session began with an ice-breaking round in which the expert asked the participants their thoughts by showing a few images. The expert also briefed on the magnitude of e-waste generation and its impact on living beings.           

Sharing her thoughts, first year student Nitu Kumari from the School of Education highlighted,  “E-waste is not just trash; it’s a resource waiting to be reclaimed. Responsible recycling can transform our discarded technology into sustainable solutions for the future.”

Another first year student Ansu P Kumar emphasised how today’s electronics are tomorrow’s e-waste. That is why managing them responsibly is the key to protecting the planet’s future.

Kumud Kalra, pursuing BA BED from the School of Education, said, “Reduce, reuse, recycle –  the mantra for a sustainable future free from e-waste.” “E-waste is not waste; it’s a resource waiting to be reused,” said B Ed student Ashima Tanwar.

“E-waste recycling takes a little effort on your part but makes a big difference to the future,” said Afreen Hasan from the School of Education.  

International E-Waste Day 2024 encourages people to clear out unused or broken electronic devices to reduce pollution, boost resource efficiency, and save energy. Recycling electronics not only recovers valuable materials like metals and plastics but also reduces the need for resource-intensive raw material extraction, cutting greenhouse gas emissions.