SHRI SHIVAJI SCIENCE COLLEGE, AMRAVATI
DBT STAR COLLEGE PROJECT ACTIVITY
ACTIVITY REPORT
“School Level Electronic Waste Awareness and Management Drive”
Activity Dates: 14th October 2024 to 28th February 2025
Type of Activity: Outreach Activity
Organizing Department: Department of Environmental Science
Program Coordinators: Mr. V. D. Bute
Head of the Department: Dr. S. P. Ingole
External Collaborator (if any): Shri Shivaji Education Society, Amravati
Objectives:
- 1. To raise awareness among students about the types, sources, and harmful effects of electronic waste on human health and the environment.
- 2. To educate students on the importance of proper e-waste segregation, disposal, and recycling practices.
- 3. To encourage behavioral change towards responsible consumption and disposal of electronic gadgets and appliances.
- 4. To promote student involvement in e-waste collection drives and eco-friendly initiatives within the school and local community.
- 5. To develop a sense of environmental responsibility and sustainable practices among students from a young age.
No of Beneficieries: 150
Classes Involved: B.Sc. III and B.Sc. II year CEB and CEZ
Venue of the Activity: Schools of Shri Shivaji Education Society, Amravati
Activity Report:
The increasing dependence on technology has led to the rapid generation of electronic waste (e-waste), a pressing environmental challenge of the modern era. Discarded mobile phones, chargers, earphones, batteries, and other gadgets often end up in landfills or informal recycling sectors, leading to severe environmental and health consequences. In response to this growing concern, the Department of Environmental Science, Shri Shivaji Science College, Amravati, under the DBT STAR College Scheme, initiated a School Level Electronic Waste Awareness and Management Drive. The drive was aimed at spreading awareness and promoting responsible e-waste handling among students of various schools run by the Shri Shivaji Education Society.
The drive was conducted from 14th October 2024 to 28th February 2025 and included a series of school visits, interactive awareness sessions, educational activities, and e-waste collection efforts. It emphasized the importance of spreading awareness at the grassroots level and engaging young students in environmental protection efforts. Through this initiative, the department aimed to create eco-conscious citizens who understand the urgency of sustainable electronic usage and disposal.
The drive covered eight schools across the Amravati district, where each school was visited by the departmental team. These visits involved specially curated awareness activities tailored to the understanding level of school students. The visits were structured to involve lectures, demonstrations, student participation, collection campaigns, and cultural expressions related to environmental themes.
The campaign began with a visit to Shri Shivaji Maratha High School, Satellite Branch, Amravati, on 2nd January 2025. The team was warmly welcomed by the school principal and staff. The session started with an introduction to the concept of e-waste and its harmful effects on the environment. A video screening on global e-waste pollution helped contextualize the issue for the students. Interactive discussions were held to help students identify e-waste items commonly found in their homes. The event concluded with a poster-making competition on the theme “Our Waste, Our Responsibility.”
On 3rd January 2025, the department visited three schools: Janta High School, Purnanagar, Nrusinha Vidyalaya, Asadpur, and Dada Bhamodkar Krushi Vidyalaya, Saur. At Janta High School, the session began with a visual presentation on electronic gadgets’ life cycles, followed by a short quiz to test the students’ awareness levels. Students were then encouraged to discuss how they could help manage e-waste in their homes. The school administration expressed great interest in conducting follow-up programs in collaboration with the college.
At Nrusinha Vidyalaya, a storytelling approach was adopted, where the harmful journey of an old discarded mobile phone was narrated to the students. This interactive method helped engage the younger students more effectively. They were then divided into groups and asked to prepare slogans and rhymes based on the theme “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” The students enthusiastically presented their work, showing a clear understanding of the topic.
The visit to Dada Bhamodkar Krushi Vidyalaya, Saur, focused on the lesser-discussed impact of e-waste on agricultural land. The session highlighted how heavy metals from improperly dumped electronics can leach into the soil, affecting crops and livestock. Students, many of whom belonged to farming families, actively participated in discussions and pledged to speak to their families about the issue. A small drive to collect unused electronic items was initiated on the same day.
On 14th February 2025, the team conducted back-to-back sessions at two schools in Chandur Railway: Bapusaheb Deshmukh High School and Shri Mannalal Gupta Vidyalaya. At Bapusaheb Deshmukh High School, the day began with a formal inauguration of the session followed by a workshop on how to distinguish between usable and non-usable e-waste. A live demonstration of safe handling techniques was presented using discarded gadgets. The students were shown how to safely dismantle parts for recycling under supervision. Teachers also joined the session and appreciated the initiative, promising to include environmental tips in their daily announcements.
At Shri Mannalal Gupta Vidyalaya, students from classes 8 to 10 gathered in the main hall for the awareness session. A slogan-writing competition was held, and students later staged a short skit about a family addicted to electronic gadgets and the resulting e-waste chaos. The skit, written and performed by students, received overwhelming applause. A large box was placed at the school entrance as part of an e-waste collection effort, and students were encouraged to bring unused electronics from home.
The drive continued on 15th February 2025, with a visit to Shri Shivaji High School, Main Branch, Amravati. This session served as a culminating event where students from various branches were invited to share their experiences. The event featured poster exhibitions, storytelling sessions, and personal reflections from students who had participated in the earlier school drives. Several students shared their efforts to reduce their screen time and repurpose old electronics at home. Teachers and parents were also present, and their support was instrumental in amplifying the drive's success.
Throughout the campaign, the department maintained a strong commitment to sustainability. Educational leaflets and handouts were distributed to all participating students. These materials included easy-to-understand information on the hazards of e-waste and tips for reducing e-waste generation in everyday life. Teachers were provided with content to reinforce the key messages during their regular classes.
A key strength of the campaign was its ability to combine formal education with creativity and community participation. Each school was encouraged to retain a “Green Corner” bulletin board to display student-created content and continue the conversation on e-waste. Moreover, the establishment of eco-clubs in select schools ensured that the efforts initiated by the campaign would be sustained in the long term.
In addition to awareness generation, the drive collected a substantial quantity of e-waste from all visited schools. Items collected included non-functional mobile phones, broken headphones, damaged computer accessories, chargers, and outdated remote controls. These items were carefully documented, packed, and handed over to an authorized recycling agency for safe disposal.
The faculty members of the Department of Environmental Science played a pivotal role in the execution of this drive. Their subject expertise, communication skills, and enthusiastic engagement with students made each session impactful and memorable. The success of the program is a testament to the effectiveness of interdisciplinary collaboration and the importance of early-stage environmental education.
In conclusion, the School Level Electronic Waste Awareness and Management Drive was a meaningful and transformative initiative. It successfully reached hundreds of students, teachers, and community members, spreading the message of sustainable electronics use and proper e-waste disposal. The enthusiasm and response from the schools highlighted the need for regular, structured environmental education programs at the school level. Through this drive, the Department of Environmental Science, Shri Shivaji Science College, Amravati, has laid a strong foundation for ongoing collaboration with schools under the Shri Shivaji Education Society, fostering a greener and more responsible future.
Outcomes:
- 1. Enhanced awareness among students regarding the environmental and health hazards of improper e-waste disposal.
- 2. Improved understanding of e-waste segregation, recycling methods, and the importance of sustainable electronic consumption.
- 3. Active student participation in discussions, poster-making, and e-waste collection activities, promoting experiential learning.
- 4. Collection of significant quantities of e-waste from students and staff, which was responsibly handed over to authorized recyclers.
- 5. Development of eco-conscious behaviour and a sense of responsibility among students towards environmental conservation.
Photos:
 Dada Bhamodkar Krushi Vidhyalay Saur |  Janta High School, Purnanagar, Dist. Amravati |
 Nrusinha Vidyalaya, Asadpur, Dist. Amravati |  Shri Mannalal Gupta Vidyalaya, Chandur Rly., Dist. Amravati |
 Shri Shivaji Highschool Main Branch, Amravati |
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