Turning e-waste into a source of income, the Haritha Karma Sena (HKS) has launched a district-level campaign to collect electronic waste (e-waste) from homes and institutions in Kasaragod by offering payment in return.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Local Self-Government department and supported by the Clean Kerala Company, began on July 15 and will continue till July 31.
In the first phase, the campaign will cover Nileswaram, Kanhangad, and Kasaragod municipalities. Municipal officials had earlier convened a meeting to coordinate the drive, followed by specialised training for HKS members.
The training focused on handling recyclables and hazardous components, adhering to safety protocols during transport, understanding e-waste valuation, and managing environmental consequences, said a senior official of the Clean Kerala Company.
He said the e-waste collected by the Haritha Karma Sena will be handed over to the Clean Kerala Company. Based on the quantity and type of waste gathered, the company will pay HKS, which will in turn pay the amount to the people, he added. The official added that the company has yet to finalise rates for certain categories of e-waste and has not furnished details on the amount to be paid.
So far, the company has recovered 59 tonnes of recyclable e-waste and 210 kg of hazardous material from government establishments alone, he said.
The campaign was launched through ward-level inaugurations. In Kasaragod, Municipal Chairperson Abbas Begum flagged off the drive in Nellikunnu ward. In Nileswaram, Chairperson T.V. Shantha launched the collection from Cherappuram ward, while in Kanhangad, Chairperson K.V. Sujatha inaugurated the drive at Ward 17, Alamipally.
Published – July 17, 2025 10:23 pm IST
