🌍 From Waste to Wonder: A Green Milestone!

In a time when environmental sustainability has become not just a choice but a necessity, the Swavalamban Avam Swabhimaan Foundation (SAS Foundation) continues to lead by example. With each initiative, the foundation is not just collecting waste — it is building awareness, shaping values, and mobilizing communities. And this year, the Foundation achieved a remarkable feat: during its 16th e-waste collection drive, SAS Foundation collected ~2296 kilograms of electronic waste, taking a giant step toward its ambitious annual goal of 3 tonnes.

This milestone isn’t just about numbers — it’s a story of collaboration, awareness, and action. It is a testimony to what committed individuals and organized community efforts can accomplish when united by a shared vision: a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable India.

Why E-Waste Matters

Electronic waste, or e-waste, refers to discarded electronic devices like computers, mobile phones, TVs, printers, and batteries. India is currently the third-largest producer of e-waste in the world, generating over 3.2 million metric tonnes annually. Unfortunately, a large portion of this e-waste is either dumped in landfills or dismantled informally without safety protocols, causing severe health risks and environmental damage.

Heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury from e-waste can leach into soil and groundwater, contaminating ecosystems and posing long-term health threats to communities. Proper disposal and recycling of e-waste not only prevent this damage but also help recover valuable materials such as copper, gold, and aluminum.

This is where organizations like the SAS Foundation step in — not just to tackle the problem but to empower citizens to be part of the solution.

The Journey to 2296 Kgs: Behind the Green Milestone

The SAS Foundation’s 16th e-waste drive was more than a collection campaign — it was a movement for awareness and responsibility. The drive was powered by:

• Community engagement: Citizens, schools, corporate partners, resident welfare associations (RWAs), and volunteers enthusiastically came forward to contribute unused or broken gadgets.
• Door-to-door outreach: Volunteers conducted local awareness campaigns to educate households on the dangers of hoarding or improperly disposing of e-waste.
• Youth participation: Students, interns, and young environmental advocates played a major role in mobilizing digital and ground-level engagement.
• Secure and certified recycling: All collected e-waste was handed over to government-authorized recycling partners, ensuring safe dismantling and material recovery.

Through these efforts, the Foundation amassed a whopping 2296 kilograms of e-waste, propelling it closer to its goal of 3 tonnes for the year — a goal that seemed ambitious but is now within reach.

More Than Just a Collection Drive: A Mindset Shift

What makes SAS Foundation’s e-waste campaigns impactful is that they don’t stop at collection. They aim to inspire a culture of sustainable behavior. Through workshops, awareness sessions, infographics, and digital storytelling, the Foundation ensures people understand:

• What qualifies as e-waste
• Why it’s harmful when improperly disposed
• Where and how to recycle it safely
• What steps they can take in their homes, schools, and workplaces

In essence, these drives sow the seeds of eco-conscious citizenship — encouraging people to rethink consumption, adopt responsible disposal practices, and advocate for circular economy principles.

Impact Highlights: 2024–2025

Here are some tangible outcomes of SAS Foundation’s e-waste efforts so far this year:

• 🌱 16 successful e-waste drives across multiple regions
• 📦 2296 kg of e-waste collected and safely processed
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Over 800 households sensitized through offline campaigns
• 🏫 50+ educational institutions engaged in recycling awareness
• 🌐 Thousands reached online via social media advocacy
• ♻️ Partnerships with certified recyclers ensuring environmental compliance

Each kilogram collected means less toxic waste in our environment, more materials recovered, and more people aware of their environmental responsibility.

The Road Ahead: Towards a Circular Economy

The 3-tonne target for this year is more than just a benchmark — it’s a symbol of what can be achieved when civil society, individuals, and institutions work together. With sustained momentum and public participation, the SAS Foundation aims to:

• Expand its reach to rural and semi-urban areas
• Integrate e-waste education into school curricula
• Launch digital awareness campaigns in regional languages
• Build partnerships with local governments and corporates
• Create “Green Hubs” in schools and RWAs for continuous collection

These steps are aligned with India’s E-Waste (Management) Rules 2022, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production), and the broader climate agenda for the decade.

Your Role in This Mission

Every one of us owns electronic devices — and eventually, they become obsolete. But what we do with those devices defines our environmental footprint.

You can join the green mission by:

• 📱 Donating old electronics during SAS Foundation’s next drive
• 🗓️ Hosting an e-waste awareness session in your community or school
• 🌐 Spreading the word on social media
• ♻️ Ensuring your workplace partners with certified recyclers
• 📬 Subscribing to our newsletter to stay informed and involved

As Dr. Ram Dhari, President of the SAS Foundation, rightly says:

“We are not just collecting waste — we are collecting hope for a cleaner tomorrow. Each device donated is a step closer to restoring the balance between technology and nature.”

Let’s Build a Greener Future, Together

The story of “From Waste to Wonder” is not about waste — it’s about wondering what’s possible when a community decides to act.

By crossing the 2296 kg mark in e-waste collection, the SAS Foundation hasn’t just hit a target — it has created a ripple of change that will continue to grow with each citizen who joins the cause.

Let’s not wait for change. Let’s be the change.

👉 Subscribe to our newsletter on LinkedIn to stay updated on upcoming drives, tips on sustainable living, and volunteer opportunities:
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Together, let’s transform e-waste from a threat into an opportunity — from waste to wonder.