This Article is From May 03, 2015

E-Waste in India Increasing at Alarming Rate: Parliamentary Panel

E-Waste in India Increasing at Alarming Rate: Parliamentary Panel

According to a survey, about 1,46,800 tonnes of e-waste was generated in the country in 2005.

New Delhi: Noting that the volume of e-waste in the country was increasing at an alarming rate, a parliamentary panel has recommended creation of a legislative and enforcement mechanism to prevent India from becoming a dumping ground of e-waste for developed nations.

The committee said there were numerous reports indicating that e-wastes are being shipped to developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America from developed nations under the garb of "used goods" to pass on the hazards associated with it and to "avoid" the cost of legitimate recycling.

"The committee recommends the creation of necessary legislative and enforcement mechanism to prevent the country from becoming one of the dumping grounds of e-waste for developed nations," the committee on Demands for Grants (2015-16) for Environment Ministry said.

Noting that the need to review existing legal framework is "self-evident", the committee said that a necessary policy framework and legal architecture together with effective implementation machinery need to be put in place to meet the challenges of e-waste management.

"This should be done in a time-bound manner and in consultation with domain experts and other stakeholders," the committee headed by former Union Minister Ashwani Kumar said. It observed that given the reach of electrical and electronic equipment in remote and far flung areas of the country, the arrangements made for managing and handling e-waste are quite "inadequate".

"The committee therefore recommends that the government should take all necessary steps to strengthen and expand the network of authorised collection centres as well as registered recyclers and dismantlers in the country in a big way so as to ensure safe and scientific disposal of e-waste," it said.

It noted that e-waste, which is "most" toxic of all waste material, is increasing at an alarming rate in the country and its management and handling has become a "major" challenge.

According to a survey carried out by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), about 1,46,800 tonnes of e-waste was generated in the country in 2005. It also estimated that the quantity of e-waste will increase to 8,00,000 tonnes by 2012.

"A yawning gap exists between e-waste generated in India and its capacity to deal with it. Extended Producer's Responsibility (EPR) is the main feature of E-waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2011 notified by the Ministry according to which the producer is responsible for its product once the consumer discards it," the committee observed.

It said that so far 123 producers in 11 states and 111 collection centres in 15 states have been granted authorisation. There are 126 registered e-waste recyclers or dismantlers in 12 states, it said.

"Failure to recycle e-waste is also leading to shortages of rare earth minerals to make future generations of electronic equipment," the committee said.
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