CBSE asks schools to conduct an e-waste awareness and collection drive under Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE from September to October 2026.
The Central Board of Secondary Education has issued Circular No. Acad-59/2026 on 14 September 2026. The circular covers the E-Waste Awareness Campaign and Collection Drive in schools under Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE.
The Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education will organise the nationwide campaign with the Ministry of Environment. Forest and Climate Change. Schools will conduct the campaign through Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE.
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E-Waste Awareness Campaign will follow a two-phase action plan
The circular sets out two phases for the campaign.
- The Preparatory Phase will run from 15 September to 30 September 2026.
- The Implementation and Collection Phase will run from 1 October to 31 October 2026.
Schools must create an E-Waste Collection Corner
During the first phase schools must establish a dedicated E-Waste Collection Corner.
Schools must use secure and dry containers for obsolete electronic items. These items include cables. They also include old phones. Calculators. Chargers and keyboards.
Schools will connect with authorised recyclers
District authorities will connect school clusters with authorised recyclers or Producer Responsibility Organisations.
The circular refers to CPCB and SPCB authorised recyclers. It also asks schools to support safe collection and disposal through authorised recyclers or PROs with the required documentation.
Webinars and workshops will create awareness
Schools will conduct orientation sessions for students and teachers.
These sessions will focus on e-waste dangers. They will also cover responsible disposal and circular economy principles.
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Schools will organise student activities
The second phase will include several co-curricular activities.
Schools can organise inter-house poster-making. They can also conduct e-waste art installations and essay writing activities.
Students can bring end-of-life electronics
The circular encourages students to check their homes for end-of-life electronic items.
Students can deposit these items at school collection points with parent consent.
Recyclers will collect the e-waste
Authorised recyclers will collect the accumulated e-waste from designated schools or cluster hubs.
The circular also requires schools to maintain the required documentation for safe collection and disposal.
Eco Clubs will track campaign activities
School Eco Club coordinators will record campaign data on the Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE portal.
The data will include the number of student participants. It will also include the number of workshops and the kilograms of e-waste collected.
| Portal | Link |
|---|---|
| Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE Portal | https://ecoclubs.education.gov.in/ |
Schools can share campaign practices on social media
Schools may share their best practices on social media platforms to support publicity and outreach.
The circular mentions #SpecialCampaign6 for this purpose.
CBSE Schools Must Follow E-Waste Safety Rules
The circular asks schools to ensure safe handling of e-waste. Students must not dismantle or open electronic devices.
Schools must also prevent students from handling hazardous items. These include damaged lithium-ion batteries. They also include leaking cells and broken cathode-ray tubes.
Schools must upload participation details
After completing the activities schools must upload their participation and activity details on the Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE Portal.
Schools must also submit the details through the CBSE link provided in the circular.
| Submission | Link |
|---|---|
| Mission LiFE Portal | https://ecoclubs.education.gov.in/ |
| CBSE Submission Form | https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfRzrQUPOHL9UFyhq8eCfrBIDCxhPw97DYiRtFRDA3214GcAQ/viewform?usp=header |
Roles will be assigned to different stakeholders
The annexure provides a roles and responsibilities matrix for the campaign.
DoSEL will handle national monitoring and policy oversight. It will also conduct webinars and handholding sessions. It will facilitate certified recycling tie-ups through CPCB and SPCBs.
MoEFCC and CPCB will provide technical awareness material and safe handling guidelines. They will also issue state circulars and appoint State. UT and District Nodal Officers.
State. UT and District Nodal Officers will monitor school participation through Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE. They will also designate the teacher who will handle the Eco Club for Mission LiFE.
School Principals and Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE will ensure safe collection. They will also ensure portal entry and safe transportation and recycling of collected e-waste.
Certified recyclers and PROs will issue official Certificates of Recycling to participating schools.
Schools must use authorised channels
The circular directs schools not to sell or hand over e-waste to unorganised scrap dealers.
Campaigns must work with recyclers listed on the CPCB official portal or state SPCB registries.
Students must not handle hazardous e-waste
The circular lists small gadgets. Wires. Circuit boards. Discarded phones. Remote controls. Computer accessories. IT peripherals and earbuds among the permitted items.
Damaged lithium-ion batteries are restricted. Broken CRT monitors are also restricted. CFLs and leaking cells are also restricted. Children must not handle these items.
The circular also sets a Zero Dismantling Rule. Students and staff must not open. Break or dismantle electronic devices.
Schools must maintain a clear recycling trail
The annexure provides an e-waste disposal workflow that starts with the student or home. The e-waste then moves to the school collection point and the school or cluster collection point. The authorised recycler then handles the recycling process.
After collection the certified recycler must weigh the e-waste in the presence of the School Nodal Officer.
The recycler must also provide an official E-Waste Handover Receipt. The recycler must provide a Recycling. Dismantling or Refurbishing Certificate as proof of compliance.
CBSE asks schools to encourage participation
CBSE has asked schools to encourage teachers. Students and parents to take part in the campaign activities.
CBSE Official Circular on E-Waste Awareness Campaign
The Board has asked schools to contribute towards making the initiative a success.
