Union Minister G Kishan Reddy calls for 30-day nationwide cleanliness drive, urges e-waste collection to recover critical minerals
Union Minister G Kishan Reddy urges citizens to join a 30-day cleanliness drive and collect e-waste to recover critical minerals like lithium.
Union Minister for Coal and Mines, G Kishan Reddy, has launched a massive call to action for a nationwide cleanliness drive spanning 30 days. Starting from Gandhi Jayanti on October 2 and running until Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary on October 31, the initiative aims to engage every sector of society in the Swachh Bharat mission.
The campaign seeks active participation from citizens, government and private institutions, educational establishments, NGOs, and various associations across the country.
A Massive 30-Day Swachh Bharat Campaign
Speaking to the media, Reddy emphasized that the cleanliness movement must begin at the grassroots level, starting from individual homes and workplaces. The drive is designed to be a comprehensive effort involving:
- Government and private offices
- Educational institutions
- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
- Local associations and colonies
- Sanitation workers, referred to as Swachh Bharat Warriors
Reddy urged people to use this period to clear out unnecessary materials and waste. "This program should start from our homes. In our offices too, whatever waste there is, whether in private offices or government offices, all offices should be checked during these 30 days," the Minister stated, specifically mentioning the disposal of useless papers and redundant items.
This initiative aligns with the ongoing 'Swachhata Hi Seva 2026' activities, with October 1 marked by the theme 'Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath' to promote simultaneous cleanliness efforts across the nation.
E-Waste: A Goldmine for Critical Minerals
A significant component of this month-long drive is a specialized e-waste initiative led by the Ministry of Mines. The government is encouraging the collection and recycling of discarded electronic and electrical items to support the National Critical Mineral Mission.
Reddy highlighted that modern life relies heavily on devices like mobile phones, laptops, and computers. These electronics contain essential components that are difficult to source otherwise. By collecting and segregating this waste through authorized recycling mechanisms, India can recover vital resources.
Key benefits of the e-waste initiative include:
- Resource Recovery: Extracting essential minerals like lithium from discarded tech.
- Circular Economy: Promoting responsible waste management and reuse.
- Manufacturing Support: Securing minerals necessary for the electronics and advanced manufacturing sectors.
The Minister cautioned against the common habit of hoarding old electronics or disposing of them as regular garbage. "Without misusing all of them, without hoarding them in houses for years, without throwing them away as garbage in the earth, all of them should be collected, brought, and segregated," Reddy said. He noted that the minerals extracted from these devices are desperately needed for India's growing manufacturing capabilities, including the production of mobile phones for the global market.