Education Ministry Launches E-Waste Awareness Drive in Schools

Unwanted electronic items like discarded mobile phones, broken toys, old chargers, and dead televisions often linger in drawers before being thrown away, contributing to a growing waste problem. To address this, the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Union Ministry of Education has initiated a nationwide campaign to build awareness around electronic waste. Operating under Special Campaign 6 and the Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE, the initiative brings the topic into schools, encouraging children to carry the message home.

The effort extends far beyond standard lectures and materials. Participating schools have organised collection drives, quizzes, workshops, and exhibitions. Students are guided to identify discarded electronics and ensure they reach authorised recyclers or refurbishers. A ministry-shared video on X also depicted students discussing proper handling methods. According to official figures, more than 2.02 crore students and teachers across 2.85 lakh schools collected 58.79 lakh e-waste items during the preparatory and implementation phases held from September 16 to October 31, 2026. Additionally, over 6.29 lakh awareness workshops took place during the preparatory phase, alongside a nationwide collection drive on October 28.

Data from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change indicates India generated roughly 13.97 lakh metric tonnes of e-waste in 2024-25, with about 11.59 lakh metric tonnes reported as recycled. Experts note that shifting public habits is vital. Shohini Dutta of the Bajaj Foundation emphasises that segregation is the most critical first step, keeping electronic waste away from ordinary household rubbish. She highlights that recycling should remain a final resort, as devices can often be repaired or refurbished to extend their useful lifecycle. Proper handling prevents resource loss and avoids environmental contamination from unsafe processing methods.

Nationwide school campaigns are teaching children to segregate and manage electronic waste responsibly.

Why it matters

The Education Ministry's campaign impacts households across India by leveraging students to bridge the gap between classroom learning and domestic disposal habits. By fostering early awareness about authorised recycling and circular economy principles, the initiative encourages families to rethink how they handle discarded electronic devices.

Why it matters