Hyderabad: GHMC Commissioner R.V. Karnan ordered officials to implement a comprehensive E-waste collection drive and achieve 100% collection of both electronic and bio-medical waste across Greater Hyderabad.
He issued strict instructions that bio-medical waste must never be mixed with municipal solid waste. He warned that violations would invite strong action against those responsible. Moreover, registered firms that fail to lift waste as per rules would receive notices.
The Commissioner gave these directions during a stakeholder meeting at the GHMC Head Office. The meeting formed part of the ongoing 99-day action plan to strengthen scientific waste management across GHMC, Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation and CMC jurisdictions.
Representatives from e-waste recycling firms, bio-medical waste treatment facilities and corporate social responsibility partners attended the session. Karnan stressed that negligence in disposal would not be tolerated.
E-waste collection drive to expand with ward-level programmes
Karnan said GHMC would coordinate with Assistant Medical Officers of Health to enforce compliance among hospitals and healthcare facilities. Through this effort, authorities will ensure establishments follow bio-medical waste rules and pay user charges.
Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation Commissioner T. Vinay Krishna Reddy outlined the proposed framework. He said special collection centres will be set up in each municipal circle to enable voluntary deposits. In addition, ward-level drives will be conducted every Saturday and Sunday across 300 wards within CURE limits.
He urged organisations to partner with specific circles and deploy representatives at collection points. Companies were encouraged to offer incentives such as coupons or direct payments to motivate citizens.
GHMC Additional Commissioner (Sanitation) Ravi Kiran said the corporation would provide infrastructure support, including ward offices and collection centres. However, pricing and payments would remain the responsibility of participating firms.
Several organisations agreed to make direct payments through UPI or cash for collected electronic waste. Some also committed to distributing redeemable coupons under corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Officials further proposed that retailers share information on households with electronic waste. This step will help authorities organise coordinated doorstep collection under the expanding E-waste collection drive.
