Bhubaneswar: The civic body and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a wing of the World Bank, on Friday launched a dedicated website and a toll-free number under Clean e-Bhubaneswar Project for smooth handling of electronic waste in the city.

The website and the toll-free number was launched during a workshop held on Friday that brought together stakeholders from government, private sectors and the academia to deliberate on strategic solutions for making Bhubaneswar free from the heavy burden of e-waste.

Any one can visit the website at www.cleanebhubanes-war.in or call the toll-free number 1800-120-2723 and make a request for a free pickup of e-waste. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) will also encourage citizens, small and large companies and government institutions to use this channel to ensure that household and institutional e-waste is disposed off properly.

"Electronic waste is hazardous and needs a specific process of disposal which can only be done by experts. General people are not aware of the process. With the website and the toll-free number, we will be able to manage the waste in a scientific manner with people's participation. Bulk waste generators can also ask for free support and advice in setting up their e-waste management plants," said mayor Ananta Narayan Jena.

The aim of the civic body through this project is to develop a sustainable model for e-waste management in city with the goal of establishing a collaboration between the local government entities, including the Odisha State Pollution Control Board, the information technology department and the private sector, to address e-waste management challenges.

The project will be executed by Sofies Sustainability Leaders Pvt. Ltd. and city-based Siddha Development Research and Consultancy. This consortium will focus on establishing an effective e-waste collection system in the capital city to ensure proper channelization of e-waste, generating awareness and developing a sustainable e-waste ecosystem in the city.

"The Clean e-Bhubaneswar Project is a unique opportunity that galvanises support from the city and state bodies, and proves a working model for e-waste management in cities," said Ronojoy Sircar of the IFC.