The CBSE has announced a nationwide E-Waste Awareness Campaign and Collection Drive under Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE. The initiative is being organised by the Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
If you are part of a CBSE school, you can expect the campaign to involve awareness activities, student participation, e-waste collection and safe disposal through authorised recyclers.
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CBSE E-Waste Awareness Campaign 2026: Important Dates
The CBSE E-Waste Awareness Campaign 2026 will be carried out in two phases:
- Phase 1 – Preparatory Phase: 15 September to 30 September, 2026
- Phase 2 – Implementation and Collection Phase: 1 October to 31 October, 2026
Phase 1: Preparatory Activities in Schools
During the first phase, schools are expected to prepare for the e-waste collection drive. You may see the following activities being undertaken:
- E-Waste Collection Corner
Schools can establish a dedicated e-waste collection corner with secure and dry containers for obsolete electronic items such as cables, old phones, calculators, chargers and keyboards.
- E-Waste Awareness Workshops
Schools are also expected to conduct orientation sessions and workshops for students and teachers. These sessions will focus on the dangers of e-waste, responsible disposal and circular economy principles.
- Mapping of Authorised Recyclers
District authorities will connect school clusters with CPCB/SPCB-authorised recyclers or Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs) for the collection and disposal process.
Phase 2: E-Waste Collection and Student Activities
The second phase will focus on implementing the campaign and collecting e-waste from participating schools.
- Co-Curricular Activities on E-Waste
Schools can organise activities such as:
- Inter-house poster-making
- E-waste art installations
- Essay writing
These activities are intended to involve students in spreading awareness about responsible e-waste management.
- Students Can Participate in E-Waste Collection
Students are encouraged to check their homes for end-of-life electronic items and deposit them safely at designated school collection points, with parental consent.
- E-Waste Collection Through Certified Recyclers
Accumulated e-waste will be collected from designated schools or cluster hubs by CPCB-certified recyclers.
CBSE E-Waste Drive: How Will Schools Track Participation?
The campaign will also include real-time tracking. Eco Club coordinators will record details such as the number of participating students, workshops conducted and the quantity of e-waste collected in kilograms on the Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE Portal.
Schools have also been asked to upload details of their participation and activities on the Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE Portal and submit the required information to CBSE after completing the activities.
CBSE E-Waste Collection Drive: Safety Guidelines for Students
Safety is an important part of the campaign. If you are participating as a student, you must not dismantle or open electronic devices or handle hazardous e-waste items.
Which E-Waste Items Should Students Not Handle?
The circular specifically states that students should not handle hazardous items such as:
- Damaged lithium-ion batteries
- Leaking cells
- Broken cathode-ray tubes (CRTs)
The annexure also identifies CFLs and certain other hazardous items that must not be handled by children.
No Dismantling of Electronic Devices
The campaign follows a zero dismantling rule. Students and staff are strictly prohibited from opening, breaking or dismantling electronic devices.
E-Waste Must Be Handed Over Through Authorised Channels
Schools have been instructed not to sell or hand over collected e-waste to unorganised scrap dealers. The drive should operate in partnership with recyclers listed on the CPCB official portal or state SPCB registries.
Once the e-waste is collected, the certified recycler will weigh it in the presence of the School Nodal Officer.
The recycler will then provide an E-Waste Handover Receipt and a Recycling/Dismantling/Refurbishing Certificate as proof of compliance.
Important Links
| CBSE Board Exams 2027: Schools Asked to Check Student Details | CBSE Veer Gatha 6.0: Student Activities and Important Dates |
Conclusion
The CBSE E-Waste Awareness Campaign 2026 aims to help schools and students understand responsible e-waste management through awareness activities, collection drives and safe disposal.
The campaign also emphasises handling e-waste only through authorised recyclers and following safety guidelines during collection.
Source
CBSE Official Circular, 14 September 2026: Click here to read.
Kindly note that any and all information is subject to change as per CBSE, the Education Ministry, and the Government of India.
