Technology in terms of mobile phones and computers is raising e-waste concerns in the state of Kerala. Clean Kerala Company Ltd., an initiative of the Kerala Government for managing solid waste, is planning to take some action for the e-waste piling up in the state. It majorly has a high density of mobile phones, computers, and other electronic gadgets.

According to Haroon B. Kabeer, Managing Director, Clean Kerala Company Ltd., the plan is to set up collection counters in municipal towns and cities for accepting junked electronic gadgets. The company will then collect the junk e-gadgets at the counters and sell them to companies specialising in recycling e-waste.

It has been found that the usage of mobile phones and laptop penetration in the state is very high, since, nearly a tenth of Kerala’s population lives outside Kerala, and they bring in the latest international brands of smart phones, thus making those already in use outdated and thus junked. There is also a huge gray market for used phones whose customers mostly are the large population of migrant labourers from the North-East.