Awareness Programs for Consumers: An Overview
The need for generating consumer awareness has increased among businesses after introducing the Extended Producer Responsibility for plastic and electronic waste management. Conducting awareness programs for consumers and society at large was already in practice in form of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in India. CSR, for the most part, isself-regulated, and the organisation can choose the initiatives that make the most sense for them. But awareness initiatives in Waste Management have specific agendas. The onus forspreading awareness for solid, hazardous, and biomedical waste lies with government entities. However, regarding Extended Producer responsibilities, specific obligations have been imposed on the producers, importers and brand owners (PIBOs) in the Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) and plastic packagingbusinesses. For instance, the E-waste Management Rules identify consumer awareness as essential for effective EPR in e-waste management. It focuses on the notion that aware consumers will be more likely to undertake waste recycling activities if they know what happens if they don’t involve recycling habits at the source of the waste. Through such programs, they can be made aware of the associated environmental benefits, waste management techniques, and the health hazards associated with improper recycling or disposal of such waste.
Responsibilities ofProducers, Importers and Brand Owners
Awareness Programs are becoming mainstream methods for effective communication between waste management businesses and the masses.Besides the Post compliance measures given in theE-Waste Management Rules, PIBOs have to conduct awareness programs to educate the users about the end-of-life recycling of their products in terms of collection, disposal etc. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)ensures these awareness activities are conducted by business or project proponents who undertake them as part of their legal obligation to spread awareness. NGOs play a crucial role in this regard as these activities are conducted through popular NGOsamong the masses.The E-Waste (Management) Rules of 2016 also focus oncreating awareness through media, publications, advertisements, posters, or any other means of communication and product user documentation accompanying the EEE. Responsibilities for PIBOs include the following.
- Providing information of address, e-mail address, toll-free telephone numbers, helpline numbers, and website.
- Providing information on hazardous constituents as specified in sub-rule 1 of rule 16 in electrical and electronic equipment.
- Providing information on hazards of improper disposal, handling, accidental breakage, damage or improper recycling of e-waste.
- Providing instructions for disposal and handling of the equipment after its use, along with the Dos and Don'ts.
- Affixing a visible, legible and indelible symbol on the products or product user documentation prevents e-waste from being dropped in garbage bins containing waste destined for disposal.
- Creating means and mechanisms for consumers to return e-waste for recycling, including the details of the Deposit Refund Scheme, if applicable.
Role of NGOs in Awareness Programs
Many NGOs are quite popular with the common populace of rural and urban areas.NGOs collaborate with governments and markets to bring desired awareness amongunaware consumers, which businesses today need. Enterclimate hasa vast network of such NGOs working all over the country in Solid Waste Management, E-waste Management, Coastal Waste Management, Waste to Energy etc. Besides awareness programs, this network can conduct empowerment programs, which are required to build a solid ESG framework for corporates. NGOs can also help Waste Management Businesseswith risk mitigation and opportunity optimisation.
How are Awareness initiatives implemented?
Our network of NGOs has vast experience addressing social and consumer-related issues, including consumer awareness. Professionals trained for specific approaches conduct awareness programs on mass awareness for target audiences like students, farmers, producers, traders, processors, importers, exporters and other stakeholders, depending on the requirement. We have a successful record of conductingenvironment-relatedawareness drives through innovative ways to educate the masses on managing waste. Our partner PROs also assist in awareness programs critical for the EPR Action plansof the Producer Importer and Brand Owners related to plastic and EEEproduction. Theseprogrammesmust be conducted within the budget allocated by the PIBOs in their EPR Action Plan.A good program involves the following stages.
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Determining the Audience The process begins by identifying the target audience. Awareness programs can be conducted in various forms like campaign vehicles, seminars, symposiums, fairs, etc. |
Create a strong messagearound the Target Awareness programs are successful if they resonate with the masses. The location, age,gender and educational level of the masses also dictate the approach toward such programs. |
Resources Management Proper management of available finances to get the best from the programsthrough the allocated resources benefits the businesses and also helps in achieving the target. |
Recruiting Volunteers
Participation of influential and local volunteers in awareness programs leads to broader participation and, therefore, chances of successful programs. |
How can Enterclimate assist you?
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One-stop Solution to Awareness Program for every Business The team of experts from associated fields can manage your social obligations of generating awareness from EPR, ESG and CSR. We have a wide network of NGOs and local agencies ensuring Pan-India coverage of awareness initiatives. |
Monitoring Awareness Program Implementation The experts at Enterclimate keep track of updates and changes in theawareness-relatedregulations and ensure that the awareness programs are conducted within the guidelines issued by concerned agencies. |
Cost-effective solutions We manage yourawareness-related accountabilities arising from various laws governing awareness obligations. We also ensurethe program completion with the allocated resources through tried and testedcost-effective methods. |
