By 2016, the world generated 44.7 million metric tonnes of e-waste, but only 20 per cent of it was recycled through appropriate channels
Bhubaneswar: Like rock gardens, made out of various wastes, have already become major tourist destinations at many cities. Soon, the Capital city will also have e-waste sculptures – an answer to the alarming rise in e-waste in the city.
These e-waste sculptures will be installed by Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation in association with its implementation partners SDRC and Sofies Sustainability Leaders Pvt Ltd. They are expected to go a long way in creating awareness among citizens regarding e-waste.
Two sculptures will be placed at two major locations. These installations would be part of Clean e-Bhubaneswar Project, which is a joint initiative of International Finance Corporation-European Union Eco Cities Programme and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation.
The theme of one sculpture is “Hand pointing to the ground’’ and it gives the message that we need to reconnect with Mother Earth by being responsible in scientific management of electronic waste (e-waste) and recycle it in a sustainable manner.
The second sculpture is named as “Raavan.’’ This sculpture imparts the message that we need to be responsible in managing e-waste by following the principles of reduction, reuse, repair and recycle. Naming of the sculpture as per the mythological character explains that if we ignore the issue, one day e-waste could also becomes a demon like Raavan and cause immense harm to the human race as well as the environment.
The e-waste like discarded parts of mobile phones, computer, cameras etc is already having a hazardous effect on the environment, thereby causing immense damage to human beings, aquatic creatures, birds and animals as well as vegetation.
An international report shows that as the amount of e-waste continues to grow, too little of it is being recycled. By 2016, the world generated 44.7 million metric tonnes of e-waste, but only 20 per cent of it was recycled through appropriate channels.
“As per the report prepared by the United Nations University (UNU), International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), discarded equipment, such as phones, laptops, fridges, sensors, and TVs contain substances that pose considerable environmental and health risks, especially if treated inadequately. Most e-waste is not properly documented and not treated through appropriate recycling chains and methods,” director of city-based Siddha Development Research and Consulting (SDRC), Narasingh Panigrahi said.
Panigrahi informed that the “Hand pointing to the ground’’ sculpture, made by well-known city-based artist Veejayant Dash is ready and was first displayed at the 16th Anjali International Children’s Festival in the city. The beautiful sculpture, which summarises the philosophy of life that everything finally gets mixed with the Mother Earth, will be installed at Power House Square.
The second sculpture titled “Raavan’’, for which the drawing is already finalised, will be placed at Jaydev Vihar Square, he added.
PNN
