The Associated Press chief secretary said a new policy on e-waste management is underway.

Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand joined other officials on Saturday in Guntur to commit safe and responsible e-waste. |Picture source: T. Vijay Kumar

Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand said a new policy on e-waste management will be carried out, adding that reduction, reuse, recycling (RRR) centres will be established throughout the state for e-waste collection and disposal.

He stressed the importance of scientific disposal of electronic and electrical waste, saying such initiatives would help protect the environment and promote a circular economy.

“Proper handling of e-waste not only helps check for pollution, but also contributes to sustainable economic development,” Mr Vijayanand said in the “Part of the Swarnandhra-Swachhandhra’ initiative” at Sri Venkateswara Vignana Mandir on Saturday.

Mr Vijayanand stressed the importance of the cleaning drivers of the third day of the month theme initiated by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who said the focus of this month is on e-waste management.

Kommareddy Pattabhi Ram, chairman of Swachhandhra Corporation, said India is the third largest producer of e-waste in the world, producing 3.8 million tons of waste each year, of which only 15% to 20% are processed.

“The awareness is being raised that waste is being converted into wealth through proper management and the upcoming national budget will reflect the generation of waste recycling,” said Mr Pattabhi Ram.

Electronic waste collection truck

A reduced, reusable recycling vehicle was launched on the occasion.

Guntur collector S. Nagalakshmi said the vehicle will collect e-waste from urban and rural areas to facilitate responsible disposal of waste, adding that two other such vehicles will be launched soon.

Citizens are incentivizing deposits of e-waste into designated facilities rather than dumping them irresponsibly, she said.

Municipal Commissioner Puli Srinivasulu said a publicity campaign was held in all 206 ward secretariats in Guntur. He urged citizens to participate in these tasks to achieve a cleaner and safer environment.