Karo Sambhav, meaning "Make it possible" in Hindi, is a groundbreaking startup that is determined to address India's colossal electronic waste problem. Every year, the country generates a staggering 3.2 million metric tons of discarded smartphones, laptops, monitors, and other electronics. While some e-waste undergoes recycling, the process is often unregulated and carried out in hazardous conditions.
Karo Sambhav
joined the WEEE Forum in January 2020 and is India’s leading Producer Responsibility
Organisation. It was founded
Despite the government's introduction of e-waste management rules in 2012, only a meager 2% of electronics are being recycled properly. Workers involved in recycling often lack protection and resort to hazardous practices, further exacerbating the problem.
India faces a unique set of challenges when it comes to e-waste management. Our tech-driven economy has contributed to the rise of one of the world's largest electronics markets, accompanied by a surplus of used and unwanted electronic goods. In cities like New Delhi, countless small-scale workshops are dedicated to recycling various components, from cables to motherboards.
However, workers often lack adequate protection and resort to hazardous practices like using acid baths to extract precious metals from e-waste.
Founded in 2017,
Karo Sambhav aims to unite manufacturers, distributors, and recyclers to
establish a coordinated effort in tackling e-waste, leading to a more
sustainable and circular economy. It works through five outreach programs:
schools, bulk consumers, waste pickers, waste aggregators, and repair shops.
Their approach involves engaging with different sectors to establish a complete
and sustainable model for handling e-waste in India.
How it works:
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Program:
Karo Sambhav
collaborates with electronic producers to implement the Extended Producer
Responsibility program. Under EPR,
producers take responsibility for the entire life cycle of their electronic
products, from manufacturing to end-of-life management.
Collection Network:
The organization
sets up an extensive network of collection points across the country in
collaboration with retailers, service centers, and authorized recyclers. These collection
points serve as convenient hubs for consumers to responsibly dispose of their
e-waste.
Technology Integration:
Collaborating with
Microsoft, it ensures transparency and accountability by implementing an
electronic tracking system. Through a dedicated app, team members document and
track e-waste shipments, barcoding each item and capturing relevant details. Microsoft's Azure cloud platform hosts this information, while Azure Cognitive Services provides image recognition capabilities to
verify the accuracy of transactions.
Engagement Programs:
Karo Sambhav
conducts awareness campaigns and educational programs targeting consumers,
businesses, educational institutions, and government bodies. Programs include
workshops, seminars, and digital campaigns to educate individuals about the
environmental impact of improper e-waste disposal and the benefits of
recycling.
Capacity Building and Skill Development:
The organization
provides training and support to informal waste workers, enabling them to
become skilled e-waste handlers. Training
encompasses safe dismantling, sorting, and recycling techniques, empowering
workers to handle e-waste responsibly.
Entrepreneurship Support:
Karo Sambhav
collaborates with local entrepreneurs, helping them establish e-waste
collection centers and recycling facilities. This initiative
not only creates employment opportunities but also promotes local
entrepreneurship and economic development.
Collaboration and Partnerships:
Actively engaging
with various stakeholders, including government bodies, manufacturers,
retailers, recyclers, and non-profit organizations, Karo Sambhav forges
partnerships to create a holistic and sustainable e-waste management system.
Microsoft and Mi are prominent collaborators of the organisation.
Karo Sambhav's Impact and Outreach
Karo Sambhav's collaborative approach has yielded remarkable results. The organization now partners with hundreds of companies, government institutions, 5,000 informal sector aggregators, and 800 repair shops. [2] This collaborative network has led to significant increases in the collection and recycling of e-waste. In 2018 alone, Karo Sambhav collected and sent approximately 12,000 metric tons of e-waste for recycling. Even in locations where an office is absent, collection centers have been established, exemplifying Karo Sambhav's commitment to inclusivity.
The significance
of Karo Sambhav's impact extends beyond the numbers. The positive impact
extends beyond the organization, benefiting collectors, recyclers, and local
communities.
In an industry marked by resistance to change, particularly within India's informal economy, the organization faced initial pushback. Aggregators, essential actors in the informal e-waste collection sector, closed their doors when confronted with the concept of responsible recycling. However, the organization persevered by building trust at the grassroots level. Karo Sambhav's field staff moved into neighborhoods, like Seelampur in New Delhi or Kurla in Mumbai, where aggregators resided. This hands-on approach allowed them to form crucial relationships and break down barriers.
Awards and recognition
In 2021, Pranshu Singhal, the founder of Karo Sambhav was conferred the ‘Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2021 India’ award by the Schwab Foundation, a sister organization of WEF, and the Jubilant Bhartia Foundation.
Karo Sambhav's
forward-thinking vision and practical approach have not only spurred
responsible e-waste management but have also acted as a catalyst for broader
societal change. As the organization grows and extends its influence, Karo
Sambhav stands as a global exemplar, showcasing that overcoming the challenges
of e-waste is achievable. It sends a powerful message that we can shift the
trajectory of the e-waste crisis, steering towards a future that is both
sustainable and inclusive.
PRO or Producer
Responsibility Organisation is defined as the enterprise that is delegated with
the Producer's responsibility to fulfill their Extended Producers'
Responsibility pertaining to collection, proper channelization, and management
of E-Waste under the provisions of E-Waste Management Rules.
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Technology is a useful servant, but a dangerous master, it was rightly said. Electronic devices have grown into an inevitable part of our daily lives.
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