'Train-the-Trainer' for effective e-Waste Management

Manufacturers' Association for Information Technology (MAIT), the apex body representing ICT industry signed an MoU with National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT) for capacity building of government offices in managing their e-waste. The MoU was signed by Dr. Ashwini Kumar Sharma, Director General, NIELIT and Anwar Shirpurwala, Executive Director, MAIT in the presence of Dr. Debasis Dutta, Scientist 'G' and Group Coordinator, Deity.

As per industry estimates, an estimated 1.8 million tonnes of e-waste is generated in the country every year, and is likely to grow to 5.2 million tonnes by 2020 at the predicted annual compounded growth of 30 percent. Government is one of the bulk consumers of electrical, electronics and IT equipment so it is one of the major stakeholders responsible for generation of e-waste. The MAIT-NIELIT 'Train-the-Trainer' e-Waste Management Program aims to create awareness and ensure proper disposal of e- waste by the government.

In his keynote address Dr. Ashwini Kumar Sharma, Director General, NIELIT said, "Training of government officials is important for us to become aware of the right way to dispose of e-waste."

As part of the MoU, MAIT will develop content for the program and Master Trainers will train the government officials. The trainees will receive a certificate on completion of the training program.

Anwar Shirpurwala, Executive Director, MAIT said, " A large volume of electronics and IT waste gets accumulated at government offices and there should be proper training imparted to the concerned stakeholders for better handling and disposal of such e-waste .The government must ensure heads of departments and other staff are sensitized to the need for responsible management of e-waste, understand e-waste management laws, and strictly adhere to the rules and best practices on a day-to-day basis. We applaud DeitY and NIELIT for making this timely intervention."

The vision of the MAIT-NIELIT 'Train-the-Trainer' e-Waste Management Program is to have at least one official in each government organisation trained to manage e-waste. In the coming five years, approximately 1,700 officials will be trained across 29 states to effectively manage e-waste generated by government departments.