Lead Multi-City E-Waste Collection Drive Under Mission LiFE | RRI Skill and Knowledge Foundation
📍 Maharashtra, India📅 30 March 2024
Between January and March 2024, the RRI Skill and Knowledge Foundation, in high-level collaboration with the EIACP Resource Partner at IITM Pune (MoEFCC), executed a series of intensive E-Waste Collection and Awareness Drives across Maharashtra. This quarter-long initiative was part of the national Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) campaign, aiming to mitigate the growing environmental threat of improperly discarded electronic waste.
The campaign was spearheaded by Hrishikesh Tambe, Founding Member of the RRI Skill and Knowledge Foundation and Program Officer at EIACP IITM Pune, ensuring a seamless integration of NGO agility and institutional expertise. The technical execution and digital tracking of the waste collected were managed by Rutvik Jamdade (IT Officer), while Gaurav Shinde (Information Officer) led the community awareness sessions. Komal Shinde coordinated the logistical support across different zones, ensuring all collected materials were channeled toward authorized recyclers.
The drive was strategically conducted at multiple key locations to maximize community participation:
• January 15, 2024 (Solapur): A special drive coinciding with the new year to encourage rural households to dispose of legacy electronics.
• January 26, 2024 (Pune): A Republic Day awareness event focusing on "Digital Responsibility" for urban residents.
• February 12, 2024 (Khandala): A collection drive targeting vocational students and local small businesses to promote responsible digital disposal and environmental stewardship.
• March 03, 2024 (Baramati): An outreach program highlighting the critical link between soil health and E-waste toxins, educating the agricultural community on preventing chemical leaching.
• March 22, 2024 (Pune): A concluding drive held on World Water Day to emphasize how heavy metals from improperly discarded E-waste can contaminate vital groundwater resources.
Through these drives, the RRI Skill and Knowledge Foundation has successfully diverted hundreds of kilograms of toxic electronic waste from landfills, fostering a culture of circular economy and environmental stewardship. By educating the public on safe disposal, the RRI Skill and Knowledge Foundation continues to strengthen community institutions and protect natural resources for a climate-resilient future.
