Residents’ association collects 500 kg of e-waste to recycle

KL Balasubramaniam of the association said that they have been conducting the camps once in three or four months for over a year. “We were surprised to know that residents from as far as Anna Nagar, T Nagar and Purasaiwalkam came to the camp and handed over the e-waste on Sunday,” he added. Balasubramaniam said that the event was organised in association with a private company that recycles electronic waste. The private firm would separate reusable parts and send them to the concerned industries.

Residents brought old phones, television, cables, laptops and other computer parts. Irrespective of their condition, old electronic waste was accepted. However, they were not paid. “Other residents’ welfare associations should come forward to organise such events to attain zero waste target. The only challenge in organising such events is many do not know how to dispose of the e-waste. They can seek help from firms recycling the e-waste,” he said.

Explaining other initiatives taken by the TAKSRA, Balasubramaniam said that they have put up automated garbage bins to collect plastic waste only. Once the bins are filled, the sensor in the bin would alert the private company that recycles plastic. They would then come and take the plastic waste. “We are also doing composting in our locality. We are aiming to attain zero waste generation in our locality,” he added.