I AM GREEN- an initiative for clean India

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swach Bharat movement, it seems that the IT associations has made it a mandate to help move forward Modi’s vision by contributing their ideas and thoughts to keep the country neat and clean. Following the suite, MAIT has also started an initiative ‘I AM Green’ to keep the country clean.

In an initiative to educate enterprises, small business, media and general public MAIT is undertaking a drive on the perils of e-waste through an initiative called ‘I am Green’. E-waste is not just an environment issue but through proper e-waste disposal and e-waste recycling, people can control depletion of several natural resources including precious metals such as Gold and Platinum.

The Indian Electronic Waste (management and handling) Rules, 2011, is an important step towards e-waste management, and is applicable to all producers, dealers and collectors. Majority of e-waste is getting disposed along with waste collected by civic authorities such as municipalities which results in health hazards for civic workers employed.

India produces an estimated 1.5 million tonnes of e-waste every year with an expected CAGR of 25% (compound annual growth rate). Out of 1.5 million tonnes of e-waste less than 10% per cent is being disposed in a scientific manner.

Through the ‘I AM GREEN’ programme MAIT wants to build awareness among citizens. MAIT in partnership with Plugged In is conducting over 15 roadshows in Bangalore as a part of the education drive, where it would connect with students.

MAIT is hopeful that  the “I AM GREEN” Programme can make a significant contribution to address the environmental challenges in re-manufacturing, repair, maintenance, re-cycling and eco-design having  a great potential  to promote green entrepreneurship and job creation in future, preventing environmental damage and moving towards a low carbon economy  and later transit into a green economy.