PMC and ICLEI Launch ‘Green Byte’ Project to Strengthen E-Waste Management in Pune

Pune, 21st January 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), in collaboration with ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, South Asia, has launched the “Green Byte” project to strengthen and streamline the city’s e-waste management system. A formal agreement has been signed between PMC and ICLEI South Asia for the effective implementation of the initiative.

The project aims to improve the collection, segregation, recycling and environmentally safe disposal of e-waste across Pune. Under the initiative, e-waste will be collected from housing societies and multi-dwelling units with the support of PMC staff and authorised representatives. A comprehensive city-level action plan for e-waste management will also be prepared.

Pune, with a population of around 70–80 lakh and a municipal area of about 516 sq km, has witnessed a sharp rise in the use of electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops, televisions and household appliances. This has resulted in a steady increase in e-waste generation. Improper handling of such waste poses serious environmental and public health risks, making efficient management critical.

ICLEI South Asia is an international organisation working in the areas of sustainable development, environmental protection and urban solid waste management. It provides technical expertise, capacity building and policy support to local governments.

The “Green Byte” project is being implemented under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram and Additional Municipal Commissioner (J) Pavneet Kaur, with key involvement from Avinash Sakpal, Deputy Commissioner (Solid Waste Management), Pragnya Potdar-Pawar, Assistant Commissioner (Solid Waste Management), and ICLEI South Asia representatives Imani Kumar, Executive Director, and Soumya Chaturvedi, Deputy Director.

“The ‘Green Byte’ project will help Pune build a scientific, sustainable and efficient e-waste management system. With ICLEI South Asia’s technical support, PMC aims to reduce environmental and health risks while strengthening city-level e-waste collection and recycling mechanisms,” said Avinash Sakpal.

The PMC Solid Waste Management Department will work closely with ICLEI South Asia to ensure effective execution of the project and strengthen Pune’s overall solid waste management framework.