Pune Generates Over 20,000 Tonnes of E-Waste Annually; PMC to Set Up 400 Collection Centers
Pune, 31st October 2025: With electronic equipment use rising rapidly, Pune is facing a growing e-waste crisis — generating more than 20,000 tonnes of electronic waste every year. To tackle the problem, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced plans to establish over 400 e-waste collection centers across the city for proper segregation, recycling, and disposal.
The initiative, titled ‘Pahel 2024’, aims to strengthen the city’s e-waste management system by June next year. Around 15 dedicated staff members will be assigned to manage the collection and processing of e-waste under this program.
Officials said the surge in electronic waste is primarily due to the increasing use of electrical and digital devices in households, offices, and industries. Common items that contribute to e-waste include routers, hard drives, televisions, mobile phones, chargers, cables, laptops, printers, power banks, monitors, CPUs, scanners, and headphones. Improper disposal of such materials can release toxic substances, posing serious risks to the environment and public health.
PMC’s Environment Department and Pest Control Division are jointly coordinating the efforts to ensure safe disposal practices. Alongside the government’s efforts, several self-help organizations and NGOs have joined the mission.
For instance, NGO Janvani collects over 300 kilograms of e-waste every month and provides free doorstep collection services to citizens, encouraging responsible disposal. Additionally, awareness programs are being organized in city schools to educate students about e-waste hazards and sustainable waste management practices.
PMC officials emphasized that the success of ‘Pahel 2024’ depends on public participation. Citizens are being urged to deposit unused or broken electronic items at authorized collection centers to help reduce the environmental burden caused by e-waste.
