JunkGuards, a privacy aware recycling ecosystem, is a social enterprise founded by three enthusiastic high-school students. The company focuses on providing a privacy preserved facilitative platform between various stakeholders in the entire e-waste ecosystem including security experts to erase sensitive personal information. JunkGuards, is a company, founded, in line with the vision of the Government of India and the Central Pollution Control Board of India. JunkGuards, through its platform, will ensure proper management of E-Waste and Private Data stored in it. Since it will aim to connect electronic manufacturers, Producer Responsible Organizations (PROs), E-Waste recyclers, Data security experts and the common citizen, to create an eco-system, which will ensure proper disposal of Electronic waste.
At the ground level, we plan to organise various campaigns and seminars in several schools in NCR and Bangalore region, our communities and other public places about proper e waste disposal. One thing we noticed early on that not only Indian society as e-waste disposal knowledge gap but also the privacy concerns are preventing households to discard and recycling of old gadgets. We plan to educate and bring element of privacy and importance of security experts to ensure to truly wipe your device clean of all sensitive and personal identifiable information. One of our team members plans to give a TED talk for the same. We have shortlisted 20 schools for the installation of e waste collection bins and have appointed student ambassadors to oversee this.
Junkguards – a privacy aware recycling ecosystem, aims to help all the household stakeholders, that is the consumers, get rid of their e waste. We also plan to help our consumer in negotiating the right value for the e-waste, which would be in the best interest of the people and the businesses. The aim is to develop an application through which we can connect the residential stakeholders and commercial stakeholders, and the residential stakeholders can sell their e-waste, ensuring safe disposal.
In 2016, the government laid out several norms and regulations regarding proper e waste disposal by electronic manufacturers. It stated that each electronic manufacturer has to give at least 30 percent of their e waste for proper disposal. Companies find it difficult to achieve this quota and Junkguards helps them to complete this! Junkguards helps companies to meet their E-waste collection targets. Companies can easily reach their e-waste collection targets and complete their EPR (extended producer responsibility) quota without any hassle or extra charges. Companies can use this platform to create a better image in the market, making them more trusted and increasing their goodwill.
The global information society is growing at great speed. It is characterized by an increasing number of users as technology has become an essential part of today’s generation, as, today, we live on technology and gadgets. By 2017, close to half the world’s population uses the internet and most people in the world have access to mobile networks and services. Many people own more than one information and communication technology (ICT) device, and replacement cycles for mobile phones and computers, and also for other devices and equipment, are becoming shorter. At the same time, disposable incomes in many developing countries are increasing and a growing global middle-class is able to spend more on electrical and electronic equipment, consequently generating more e-waste.
All the countries in the world combined generated a staggering 44.7 million metric tonnes (Mt), or an equivalent of 6.1 kilogram per inhabitant (kg/inh), of e-waste in 2016, compared to the 4.8 kg/inh generated in 2014. This is close to 4,500 Eiffel Towers each year. The amount of e-waste is expected to increase to 52.2 million metric tonnes, or 6.8 kg/inh, by 2021.
The problem at hand, is its disposal, which has become a severe cause of concern, for the global society. Increasing levels of electronic waste, and its improper and unsafe treatment and disposal through open burning or in dumpsites, pose significant risks to the environment and human health.
Junkguards – a privacy aware recycling ecosystem, is a company, founded, in line with the vision of the Government of India and the Central Pollution Control Board of India. Junkguards, through its platform, will ensure proper management of E-Waste, since, it will aim to connect electronic manufacturers, Producer Responsible Organizations (PROs), E-Waste recyclers, and the common citizen, to create an eco-system, which will ensure proper disposal of Electronic waste.
Shivangi Sharma is currently a second-year student pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Commerce. Alongside her academic pursuits, she has a strong passion for making a positive impact on society and the environment. She strives to contribute to causes that promote social welfare and sustainability. With a diligent work ethic, attentive listening skills, and a quick learning ability, She is committed to continuously growing and making a difference.
Saina is an extraordinarily talented, insightful, and passionate tenth grader who radiates both warmth and confidence. She is known for her strong belief and research in Privacy as a right of every individual to control how their personal data would be collected, used, and stored. According to her E-Waste and Data Security Go Hand-In-Hand, and it’s important to take your e-waste to a privacy aware recycling firm with security experts to truly wipe your device clean of all sensitive and personal identifiable information (PII). We thank her for making privacy a first class citizen of our ewaste ecosystem – JunkGuards.
Satyam, is a sharp minded achiever who is blessed with an entrepreneurial bent of mind. The youngest member of our team. He is much more than the cute face, and has a passion for work, which has helped us keeping the team on track giving timelines. He has a way with people which allows him to delegate and coordinate.
