Keralam’s Wayanad Sets November 1 Deadline to Become E-Waste-Free District

Keralam Minister T Siddique has announced an initiative to make Wayanad India’s first e-waste-free district by November 1, the state’s formation day, with the first phase of the drive already underway.

Speaking at a Gandhi Jayanti programme here on Friday, Siddique said the initiative aims to protect the environment and public health from hazardous substances, including mercury, lead and cadmium, released through improper disposal of electronic waste.

As part of the first phase, 31 tonnes of e-waste were collected from government offices across the district between September 28 and 30, the minister said. Of the total, 12 tonnes were collected from Kalpetta, 12 tonnes from Sultan Bathery, five tonnes from Mananthavady and two tonnes from Panamaram.

The collected waste was handed over to the Clean Kerala Company with the support of the district administration, local self-government institutions and the Suchitwa Mission.

Siddique also presented certificates and shawls to 56 contingent employees working in various offices at the Collectorate in recognition of their contribution to the collection drive. Appreciation certificates were distributed to officials of 184 government institutions that participated in the initiative.

The second phase will cover households, private institutions, commercial establishments and residents’ associations, with support from local bodies, government agencies and welfare organisations.

A fixed amount will be paid for the collected e-waste, which will be segregated into around 50 categories before being handed over to the Clean Kerala Company for final disposal. District Collector V Chelsasini released a poster outlining precautions to be followed by government institutions and local bodies while handling electronic waste.

Siddique also inaugurated the district-level launch of the five-year ‘Nirmalam’ waste-management campaign, aimed at making Keralam a model state in waste management.

The campaign seeks to achieve a completely waste-free state by March 30, 2031, observed as Zero Waste Day, with Wayanad pledging full participation in the statewide cleanliness drive.