South Africa - The E-Waste Collection Initiative

Milnerton Sai Centre in the Western and Eastern Cape Region undertook a significant and heartfelt initiative in the months of September and October 2023. The E-Waste Collection Initiative was not just an event but a manifestation of our love and responsibility towards Mother Earth, reflecting the core values of Sathya (truth), Dharma (righteousness), Shanti (peace), Prema (love), and Ahimsa (non-violence).

The objective of this initiative was simple yet profound—to collect and properly dispose of electronic items that had served their purpose and were no longer in use by devotees. Electronics have become an integral part of daily life, yet their disposal remains an environmental challenge. E-waste, laden with toxic substances, poses a significant risk when discarded improperly, threatening to leach into soil, water, and air, ultimately harming life in its many forms.

Our once-off initiative is envisioned as the precursor to a series of such environmentally conscientious programs, to be held multiple times each year. It is a seed of change sown into the hearts of devotees and a promise for a greener future.

While the number of electronic items collected can be quantified, the true impact of this initiative is far-reaching and deep—extending beyond numbers, it is measured in the collective awakening and action towards environmental sustainability.

The Milnerton Sai Centre became the nucleus of this activity, witnessing the sincere efforts of two sevadals and the overwhelming support from devotees. Each participant, with every piece of electronic waste, contributed not just to a cleaner environment but also to the preservation of the delicate balance of our ecosystems.

This event did not have beneficiaries in the traditional sense. Instead, it was an offering to the environment, an expression of our reverence for nature, and an act of service to all forms of life that could be affected by e-waste pollution.

We move forward from this initiative with gratitude and humility, carrying with us the shared aspiration to nurture and care for our planet. May this be a continual reminder of our duty to nature and the power of collective action.

Let us tread softly on the Earth, with the awareness that each step taken in awareness can lead to a safer, cleaner, and more sacred environment.