Kohima/IBNS: Sowete-ü Letro and Bendangwala Walling joined forces to establish e-CIRCLE in 2018, a pioneering waste management enterprise that operates on the principles of the circular economy.

With a mission to reduce the negative impact of electronic waste on the environment, e-CIRCLE is proud to be an authorized e-waste collection center under the Central Pollution Control Board.

As a cutting-edge entrepreneurial venture, e-CIRCLE is committed to providing sustainable solutions that benefit both society and the planet.

Having collected and properly disposed of approximately 50 tonnes of e-waste, while also organizing over 70 IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) sessions, Sowete-ü Letro and Bendangwala Walling have been making a significant impact since founding their waste management enterprise, e-CIRCLE. 

The e-waste collected within the Nagaland region is skillfully managed through e-CIRCLE's partnership with Hulladek Recycling Pvt Ltd, Kolkata, a company that is authorized by the Central Pollution Control Board to handle e-waste disposal.

“Through them, the wastes are recycled, refurbished or treated as per the guidelines provided under the e-waste management rules."

"All parties are authorised under the CBCB and thus, they are monitored periodically to ensure that channelization of e-waste is done in the most environmentally sound manner,” stated Letro.

During the initial two years of e-CIRCLE's operation, Sowete-ü Letro describes the stage as a beginner's phase, involving extensive research on the market, waste management techniques, and building the enterprise from scratch. 

However, just as e-CIRCLE began gaining momentum, the COVID-19 pandemic struck the state, forcing the co-founders to start over again from the beginning.

“It was a big blow but we started it with the continuous support of our associates and a combined need to tackle e-waste."

"We are now in our fifth year and have started providing and consulting a sustainable approach to waste management in other districts and other waste as well," Letro added further.

e-CIRCLE’s main focus is invested towards the educational institutions.

“Educating the students will promise a more responsible and cleaner future,” said the founders of e-CIRCLE are now offering sustainable solid waste management consultations to educational institutions.

Sowete-ü Letro notes that e-waste management is a relatively new concept in Nagaland, but the citizens, both young and old, who are environmentally aware and conscious, have been very receptive and supportive of the issue and the solutions proposed by e-CIRCLE.

“There are individual who keeps choosing us to dispose their e-waste. The rest prefer to dump, burn or sell the valuable items to the informal sector,” she added.

According to Letro, it is essential to visit the local municipal landfill sites to comprehend the gravity of Nagaland's e-waste situation, which has resulted from inadequate and irregular waste management practices. 

Due to the absence of an efficient waste management system, the majority of waste generated in Nagaland is not properly segregated, leading to an ever-increasing pileup in landfills. 

While there is a pressing need to create awareness regarding e-waste management, Letro believes that the state government also has a critical role to play in researching, promoting awareness, and implementing proper waste disposal methods.