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Cerebra Technologies sets up India’s largest E-Waste recycling facility near Bengaluru, Karnataka

Cerebra Integrated Technologies, a public listed company headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka, has been among the front runners for the cause of E-waste management crisis in the country. Established about 26 years ago as an IT manufacturer, distributor and an IT enabled service provider, Cerebra Integrated Technologies launched Cerebra Green – India’s largest, most sophisticated end to end E-Waste Recycling Facility. The facility is also among the firsts to achieve a completely eco-friendly E- waste disposal such that there is a Zero Landfill and Zero Water level pollution achieved during the process. 

E-waste: the invisible cost of modernization

E-waste generated in the world today is 200 times the weight of the Empire State Building (or 11 times as much as the great Pyramid of Giza)! With the rising digitization of services and the drive to push digital literacy, India has become one of the largest consumers of technology, while also becoming the fifth largest producer of E Waste in the world!

According to NASCOM survey, India would be generating 3 million MT of E-waste by the end of 2018. Mumbai, the financial capital, is the largest producer of E-waste, contributing up to 1,20,000 MT annually while Bangalore, the Silicon Valley of India, producing about 92,000 MT of E-waste annually. Further, hazardous waste dumped by informal E-waste recyclers without proper processing has also led to pollution of our water bodies, leading to health and environmental problems, impacting quality of life.

Cerebra Green – Redefining E-Waste Management and Recycling

Unsustainable and unscientific handling of E-waste has resulted in huge health problems for people involved. , Two-thirds of the people in India handling E-waste recycling are suffering from respiratory ailments, tremors, cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders due to improper safeguards and unsafe ways of recycling. Apart from the dangerous dumping of waste products, there is also wastage of crucial natural resources.

According to Mr. V Ranganathan, CEO and Founder, Cerebra Integrated Technologies, said, “E-Waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world. As per the official figures, India currently generates up to 2.5 Million tonnes of E-waste per annum. Informally, this figure is much higher than 2.5 million tonnes. Despite this, we are yet to come to terms with the severity and the need of an organized and scientific disposal of E-waste. We at Cerebra are committed to this cause and abide by the philosophy of 3 R’s – Reuse, Reduce and Recycle. We currently operate out of a 12 acre facility capable of handling up to 96000 tons of E-waste.”  

Cerebra Green, as part of its environment friendly processes, assures a 100% compliance with the EPR guidelines, E-Waste Management Handling Rules 2011 & 2016 notified by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and is an ISO 9001:2015 Certified set up. The collected E-Waste is effectively segregated into Re-usable and Non-Reusable waste. This is then followed by the essential stages of Repair/ Recondition/ Refurbishing and Data recovery/ Data destruction. Once these are completed, the E-Waste recycling process begins with the separation and recovery of Metals, Plastics, Glass and a separate recovery process for precious metals like Gold. The methodical, step wise process ensures a Zero landfill output, where precious natural resources are recovered and made available to re-use through re-introduction into the supply chain. This could also be the answer to controlling environmental pollution, conservation of natural resources and controlling diseases borne out of polluted air, like bronchitis and lung cancer.

According to the EPA, recycling one million laptops can save as much energy used by 3,500 homes in a year. In addition, recycling one million cell phones results in the recovery of 35,000 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, and 33 pounds of palladium.

The Cerebra Green Advantage:

While the world has already taken adequate steps to effectively process and manage E-waste, India is now waking up to the significance. Cerebra have been working tirelessly to spread awareness about the E-Waste management crisis and have been facilitating this through unique offerings to ease the client experience and create value. These include:

  • Assured of a completely professional, hassle free experience while disposing their E-waste.

  • 100% compliance with EPR responsibilities and with the law of the land

  • Be rest assured about complete deletion of valuable data

  • Easy and convenient to avail through CerebraGreen Collection centers across India.

  • Not have to deal with local Kabadiwalla’s / non-professional and unorganized players in the sector

  • Fully compliant with taxes like GST and other tax requirements

  • 100% compliance to varied, industry specific needs of clients due to the flexibility and proven expertise.

  • Be assured that the E-Waste is being disposed in an environmentally friendly manner due to correct and lawful handling of E-waste

  • Receive the right value for your E-waste.

  1. With the introduction of the Companies Bill 2012, it is now mandatory for corporations to spend 2% of their net

  2. Profits on CSR Activities, with a focus on promoting equitable and sustainable growth in the country.

  3. Responsible E-waste management being one of the crucial pointers, under the environmental sustainability

  4. activity – one of the 9 activities to be undertaken for CSR by the corporations. Also, the E-Waste Management

  5. Handling Rules 2011 & 2016 notified by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) makes it mandatory for all generators, commercial establishments to get their E-Waste recycled through authorized E-Waste Recyclers only. However, the Indian corporate and community has a long way to go before a completely safe, environmentally viable and sustainable E-Waste management and Recycling becomes a mandatory, everyday feature of every modern business.