Mysore/Mysuru: The Department of Chemistry, GSSSIETW, Mysuru, had organised TEQIP 1.3 sponsored one-day Non-teaching staff Enrichment Online Programme on “Effective Management of Institutional E- Waste” on July 30 in association with VTU, Belagavi, Aryabhatta Knowledge University, Patna, Bihar and Biju Patnaik University of Technology, Rourkela, Odissa, through Google Meet online platform.

Dr. S. Manjappa, Director of Research & Consultancy, Sahyadri College of Engineering & Management, Mangaluru, who was the keynote speaker for the first Session, explained that all advancement in information technology and communications has stimulated the economy and improved the living standards of the human race. 

However, the dependency on electronic products has led to new environmental problems. E-waste is one of the largest known sources of heavy metals and pollutants in the waste stream. The hazardous or toxic materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, brominated and chlorinated compounds pose threat to human health and environment, if they are not properly disposed, he observed. 

B.Y. Mallesh, Technical Advisor, Knowx Innovation Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru, who was the keynote speaker for the second session emphasised the importance of scientific disposal methods to be followed to dispose the e-waste. The illegal dumping of e-waste has resulted in contamination of soil, water and air. The uncontrolled fires in the e-waste landfills result in emission of highly toxic, carcinogenic fumes, such as dioxins and furans, which affects the ambient air in the local environment and finally results in global warming, he said.  

There were 138 participants from various engineering colleges across Karnataka. 

The event was supported by Vanaja B. Pandit, Hon. Secretary, GSSS, R. K. Bharath, CEO, GSSS, Dr. M. Shivakumar, Principal, GSSSIETW and Anupama B Pandit, Administrative Officer, GSSSIETW. 

The event was coordinated by Dr. S. Bellappa, Professor   and Head, Department of Chemistry and  Syeda Nausheen Fathima, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, GSSSIETW, Mysuru.