Questions/Answers
Question 1
Please provide a brief summary of the initiative including the problems/challenges it addressed and the solutions that the initiative introduced (300 words maximum)
On 26February 2014, Hon. Former Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the unique e-Waste project of Vadodara city and Vadodara became India’s 1st city to have environmental friendly e-Waste solution.
Most of the households usually have some obsolete electronic device such as an outdated computer, a mobile phone, kitchen appliances, or refrigerator. Such obsolete electronic devices or electronic waste (also referred to as e-Waste) are a common site and is leading to a lot of toxic waste.
Over the past decade, we have seen a substantial increase in the communication technology. Computers are now created with DNA chips, giving them a representation of human attributes and other features like multitouch, body sensors, voice sensors, and even predictive thinking. The migration from analogue to digital technologies and to flat-screen TVs, monitors, compact and multi-tasking devices such as the iPad, iPhone and Kindle, are channeling the increase of electronic waste. The advent of lower prices for many electrical goods has caused an increase in global demand for many products that eventually end up as electronic waste. Computer devices constitute only a part of the electronic waste stream.
Problem Statement:Traditionally there was no separate collection of e-Waste in India and no proper collection mechanism has been set up. People didn’t have much idea the substances such as lead, beryllium, flame retardants found in e-Waste pose to environmental health threat.
Solution/Project Initiative:e-Waste is a crisis born not only out of quantity generated but also from the cocktail of toxic ingredients. To properly dispose of Vadodara’s e-Waste, VMC has provisioned to create E-Waste Management to receive and recycle customer returned equipment.
a. What are the overall objectives of the initiative?
Please describe the overall objectives of the initiative (200 words maximum)
E-Waste consists of different obsolete and hazardous materials. Currently, the main options for the treatment of electronic waste are involved in reuse, remanufacturing and recycling, as well as incineration and land filling.
Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) became the first civic body in India to implement a public private partnership to provide the facilities of collection of e-Waste at source to the citizen. The project has been launched as a part of Mahatma Gandhi Swachhta Mission. A contract has been signed between VMC and ECS Environment Pvt. Ltd., an Ahmedabad based recycling firm. ECS compensate the people with cash for giving away their old electronic items including televisions, washing machines, mobile phones, PCs, and other desolate or working e-Waste. Under this model, people who want to give their e-Waste have to call on the helpline number provided. The concessioner than gives a suitable time and date of the collection. The concessioner also notifies the VMC about the collection details, thus keeping a record. The rate of compensation is decided after the concessioner examines the item. According to the agreement, ECS pay additional 12% of its total collection expenses from this model to VMC. These funds get used by VMC to carry out the awareness activities and channelize e-Waste to the formal recycler.
The partnership provides adequate opportunities to VMC. This PPP model gives VMC an opportunity to ensure that the e-Waste goes to a registered dismantler or recycler, ensure door to door collection of e-Waste, release the financial burden of setting up the project and provide a better quality of service to citizen of Vadodara city.
b. How does the initiative fit within the selected category?
Please describe how the initiative is linked to the criteria of the category (200 words maximum)
Rapid evolution of technology and continuous innovations in ICT sector, poses a threat of deterioration in environmental conditions and human health as the e-Waste contains hazardous components. It is a huge challenge to manage the e-Waste in a responsible manner to protect the environment.
Preserving the Nature:
There is a need for e-Waste management as e-Waste components may cause severe health risks and environmental damage. VMC encourages recycling of all electronics and electrical material to preserve the natural resources.VMC e-Waste management systems has ensured to avoid the threat on environment and mankind.
Disposal of wastes:
The recyclers, dismantlers, re-conditioners, collectors and the concessioner handling disposal of e-Waste have to comply with the regulations of VMC, and have to manage e-Waste in an environmentally sound system in line with international standards. They have to take care of the informal sector carrying out major part of disposal of wastes.
Business Model:
The business model is designed in such a way that there is win-win situation for the city administration as well as the project concessioner. The project is being run on PPP mode, with positive premium (i.e. share of business revenue) to be paid to VMC. Also, VMC ensure that the citizen are paid for the waste collected.
Question 2
The initiative should improve people’s lives, notably by enhancing the contribution of public services to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the realization of the SDGs
a. Please explain how the initiative improves the delivery of public services (200 words maximum)
Recycling Conserves Natural Resources:
Materials that can be recovered from old electronics can be used to make new products, thus reducing the need to mine for new raw materials. For instance, various metals can be recovered from computer other electronics, and the plastics and glass found in computers and televisions can be recycled.
Recycling Helps Protect Public Health and the Environment:
Many electronics have hazardous materials, which can be harmful to the environment if get disposed. Reusing and recycling electronics safely helps in keeping the hazardous materials from harming humans and the environment. Instead of keeping old electronics in the house or dumping them, recycling or reusing them is an appropriate option which is supported by citizen of Vadodara.
Question 3
The initiative must impact positively a group or groups of the population (i.e. children, women, elderly, people with disability, etc) and address a significant issue of public service delivery within the context of a given country or region.
a. Please explain how the initiative has addressed a significant issue related to the delivery of public services (200 words maximum)
The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) became the first civic body in the country to begin e-Waste collection source and even ensure that the citizen are paid for the waste collected. A contract has been signed between VMC and the e-Wasteconcessioner to compensate the people with cash for giving away their old electronic items including televisions, washing machines, mobile phones, PCs, and other desolate or working e-Waste.
Under this model, people who want to give their e-Waste have to call on the helpline number provided. The concessioner than gives a suitable time and date of the collection. The concessioner also notifies the VMC about the collection details, thus keeping a record. The rate of compensation is decided after the concessioner examines the item.
After a certain quantity of e-Waste is collected by the e-Wasteconcessioner, it transports it to its e-Waste recycling facility where the waste is processed using environmental friendly techniques. The waste left after processing is certified by Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) for disposal and transferred to authorized Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility.
b. Please explain how the initiative has impacted positively a group or groups of the population within the context of your country or region (200 words maximum)
Citizen of Vadodara City:
Citizenhave to call VMC on the helpline no for e-Waste collection from their doorstep
Citizen get notified about the collection date and time
Citizen get compensate with cash for giving away their old and obsolete electronic items with GPCB certificate
Government Bodies:
VMC getsadditional 12% of the total collection expenses from the Concessioner
VMC ensures door to door collection of e-Waste and thus decrease the leakage of e-Waste to informal sector.
VMC is trying to provide a better quality of service and lifestyle to citizen of Vadodara
Question 4
The initiative must present an innovative idea, a distinctively new approach, or a unique policy or approach implemented in order to realize the SDGs in the context of a given country or region.
a. Please explain in which way the initiative is innovative in the context of your country or region (200 words maximum)
Business Model - The Vadodara model has a concession period of 5 years. The private entity has to set up a local office and warehouses to store e-Waste in Vadodara. It also has to give additional 12% of its total collection expenses to the Vadodara Municipal Corporation.
Best out of E-Waste - Electronic waste is mixture of precious metals, like gold, silver, and platinum, as well as valuable copper, aluminum, and iron. These metals are precious and valuable for a reason because they are in limited supply and we rely on them for a surprising range of functions, from simple tinfoil to NASA’s rocket ships. Recycling electronic waste protects these metals for future use and impedes their endangerment.
It should also be noted that recycling e-Waste can save up to 70% on the energy required to mine and process new materials. Savings in energy means savings in costs and precious power resources.
Question 4b
b. Please describe if the innovation is original or if it is an adaptation from other contexts (If it is known)? (200 words maximum)
This is a first of its kind initiative in India, however, similar projects have been undertaken across different countries across the globe. However, this is a one of its unique and first such project being implemented India. The approach and methodology is innovative and different, and has been formulated in order to suit the regional requirements.
Question 4c
c. What resources (i.e. financial, human , material or other resources, etc) were used to implement the initiative? (200 words maximum)
Financials:
PPP Concessioner invest for this project. This project doesn’t have any financial burden on VMC.
Manpower resources from two stakeholders are working to deliver project success. The implementation agency ECS Environment Pvt. Ltd., and overall management team from VMC works together. VMC prepared the RFP and has laid the ground work. Also, managing and supervising the project.
ECS is the system integrator who is executing the project on ground, and has invested in the project entirely.
Material:
Collection Bin & Vehicles are used to transport the e-Waste from the city to the concessioner factory.
Question 5
The initiative should be adaptable to other contexts (e.g. other cities, countries or regions). There may already be evidence that it has inspired similar innovations in other public-sector institutions within a given country, region or at the global level.
a. Has the initiative been transferred to other contexts?
Yes
Yes, Smart City Mission (Govt. of India) has sought details of the project for a possibility of adaption by other smart cities, few other smart cities have approached us. Many other cities have expressed their interest in adaptation to their city context.
Question 6
The initiative should be able to be sustained over a significant period of time.
a. Please describe whether and how the initiative is sustainable (covering the social, economic and environmental aspects) (300 words maximum)
The Project has been implemented in PPP mode, with Revenue commitment of additional 12%on total collection expenses to VMC, over concession period of 5 years and can be extended further based on the performance of the Concessioner.This project doesn’t not have any financial burden on VMC. VMC is doing continuous monitoring of this project to ensure that the citizen of Vadodara gets cleaner and healthier environment.
Minimizing environmental impact while maximizing recovery:
e-Waste can cause serious environment hazard if it is not disposed of in a scientific way. At Vadodara, we are committed to ensuring the scientific disposal of e-Waste. This enables a reduction in the environmental impact and drives responsible environmental stewardship. VMC is always committed to exploring new and innovative ways to reduce the ecological footprint of e-Waste whilst maximizing its value recovery.VMC aim is to avoid landfill and to leverage best-in-class technologies to reclaim the resources from this valuable waste.
e-Waste is an opportunity also to drive social inclusion:
Vadodara Municipal Corporation is committed for better collection & dismantling e-Waste which helps citizen of Vadodara improve their standard of living towards a better society.
b. Please describe whether and how the initiative is sustainable in terms of durability in time (300 words maximum)
The e-Waste project is for 5 years and can be extended further based on the performance of the Concessioner. This project is under continuously monitoring
Sustainability:
VMC has initiated this project in PPP mode without any financial burden, to onboard experienced recyclers to bring the required technical expertise to the city
VMCensure that all stakeholders involved in e-Waste collection and recycling are aware of the potential impacts on the environment and human health as well as possible approaches to the environmentally sound treatment of e-Waste.
VMC has established a clear framework for e-Waste collection and recycling
VMC has enforced legislation for all stakeholders and strengthen monitoring and compliance mechanisms across the city
Concessioner offerscertificateto Vadodara citizenfor collection of e-Waste
If VMC identifies any informal collection, VMC ensure e-Waste is sent to licensed recycler through incentives
VMC regularly create awareness on the environmental benefits of recycling in the Vadodara city
Question 7
The initiative should have gone through a formal evaluation, showing some evidence of impact on improving people’s lives.
a. Has the initiative been formally evaluated?
Yes
If yes, please describe how the initiative was evaluated? (200 words maximum)
Vadodara becomes India’s 1st city to have environmental friendly e-Waste solution. This solution has been examined by the government of India and this model has been accepted in replicated in other smart cities of India as well. When the evaluation of the initiative was underway, VMC was invited to theRashtrapati Bhavan - The President of India, for the further scrutiny and so that it gets replicated in other cities of India.
b. Please describe the outcome of the evaluation of the impact of the initiative (200 words maximum)
VMC had presented a Request for Proposal (RFP) with all the project details to the board members of VMC, and the RFP got selected and approved by the board. The RFP was then released to the public and vendors were called for participation. Based on the financial and technical evaluations, VSCDL awarded the work order to the system integration agency.
Post the evaluation, the project has started taking shape and is aiming at preserving the natural resources, and providing a safe and cleaner environment.
c. Please describe the indicators that were used (200 words maximum)
RFP
Project implementation approach & methodology presentation – Manpower, timelines, other resources, etc.
Question 8
The initiative must demonstrate that it has engaged various actors such as from other institutions, civil society, or the private sector, when possible.
a. The 2030 Development Agenda puts emphasis on collaboration, engagement, coordination, partnerships, and inclusion. Please describe what stakeholders were engaged in designing, implementing and evaluating the initiative. Please also highlight their roles and contributions (300 words maximum)
VMC is spreading awareness for environment friendly e-Waste management by public events in stadiums and auditoriums, party plots, schools etc. This may include bringing dignitaries, celebrities, experts and others.
VMC carry out the awareness and promotion activities through various modes and channels under VMC like websites, portals, vehicles, hoardings, billboards, banners, posters, newspaper ads, TV ads, cinema slides, digital display in buses and on its stations, printing behind any tickets (Buses, BRTS, Tourist attractions), printing behind tax bills, schools, health centres, gardens, civic centres and all other VMC locations throughout the period of this agreement.
VMC ensures door to door collection of e-Waste and thus decrease the leakage of e-Waste to informal sector.
Question 9
a. Please describe the key lessons learned, and any view you have on how to further improve the initiative (200 words maximum)
The key lesson learnt from this initiate is that if the country needs to develop and be digitally empowered, it is extremely essential to first educate the citizen and make them aware about the services that are available to them.
Further Improvement:
The initiative can be improved by regularly monitoring the progress and by regularly updating the services based on the situational and environmental conditions and by addressing the issues faced by customers, if any.