Discarded electronic or electrical devices and products are referred to as electronic waste. This article covers the fundamentals of electronic waste management in India.

E-waste Management 

 

What is E-waste?

E-waste or electronic waste is the term that refers to discarded or dumped electrical or electronic goods. If we observe carefully, human beings are dependent on different kinds of electronic gadgets in their daily routine. These electronic products such as refrigerators, computers, batteries, mobile phones, etc. have a shelf life, after which they are discarded.

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The piled-up discarded electronic scrap contains potentially toxic heavy metals such as lead, lithium, cadmium, mercury, etc. When discharged unchecked or processed without regulations, these heavy metals affect not only human health but also pollute the environment. However, the heavy metals in e-waste can be recycled and reused.

 

Recycling Of E-waste

The recycling of e-waste is a tedious process and poses a significant danger to workers' health and the general population in close vicinity. Hence a great deal of caution must be taken to avoid toxic discharge of pollutants during the recycling process. It is essential to understand that even the accidental release of harmful materials can extensively damage the local flora and fauna.

According to studies, there has been a steady increase in e-waste generation in the country, and the trend is likely to continue. This is corroborated by a report on Global e-waste by the UN monitor group, where India ranked 5th in the e-waste generation in 2014.

 

E-waste Management

As the problem of e-waste starts mounting, the government sprung into action to deal with the problem of e-waste disposal. Steps were taken to regulate and process e-waste in an organized manner.  In its endeavor to effectively address the increasing problem of e-waste management, Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has come out with the E-Waste Management Rules, 2016. The new rules have superseded the earlier notified e-waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011.

 

The new rules underline the commitment of the government to safeguard human health and the environment. An obligation on the government to uphold the directive principles of the state policy inscribed in the constitution.

What’s New In E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016?

1)  Mercury-containing equipment, Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL), or other lamps containing mercury are now subjected to the new rules.

2)  For the first time, manufacturer, distributor, refurbisher, and product responsibility association (PRO) are added as new stakeholders in the law.

3)   Components and spare parts of consumer goods(EEE) are also brought under the ambit of the new law.

4)  For the first time, the regulations shall bind together producers within the framework of the Extended Producer Responsibility or EPR with the goals. They are now held responsible for the collection and exchange of e-waste. The collected e-waste has to be disposed of in an environmentally safe and secure manner.

5)  Solid waste treatment facilities should be established within a period of two years by local municipal bodies with a population of 1 lakh or more.

6)  Towns with a population below lakh are given three years to set up a solid waste treatment facility.

7)  It was further announced to shut down or bio-treat the old or discarded dumping sites inside five years period.

8)  Urban local bodies were assigned the responsibility to collect and dispose of municipal waste. They were also given the authority to collect fees and even impose a penalty on violators.

9)  In the new framework, the State governments were assigned the responsibility to ensure the safety, security, and health of workers who are engaged in the e-waste recycling process.  

10)  Endangering the environment or third party due to improper management of e-waste is strictly prohibited. Provisions have been made in the law to impose a financial penalty on the violators.  

 

Central Pollution Control Board(CPCB), in association with the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), ensures the compliance of e-waste rules formulated by the government.

Web-based Integrated Waste Management System 

The Union Ministry (MoEFCC), in its endeavor to simplify the process of waste management, inaugurated a web-based application- (IWMS) in May 2016. The main objective of the app is to manage solid waste properly. Through this app, the government can keep an eye on the movement of hazardous scrap material and ensure proper management.

Key Benefits Of The App

1)  The monitoring of 43000 industries that are producing hazardous waste becomes easy.

2)  The app will help in providing national and state-wide data on the different types of waste generated and processed by industries at one location.

3)  People can now apply and receive permission online for import and export of specific types of waste for reuse, recycle, or recovery of material.

4)  The applicants can now track their application status any time with the help of this online portal.

5)  The application is instrumental in bringing transparency in the functioning of regulatory bodies.

6)  The app is user friendly and expedited the process of granting permission or analysis of waste.

7)  The launching and use of the online portal have made the whole process paperless and environmentally friendly.

 

First e-Waste Clinic In India

Continuing with its efforts to manage e-waste properly, the first e-waste clinic in India started functioning in Bhopal on January 24. The clinic was conceived and executed in accordance with the rules and regulations. It is a three-month pilot project and, if successful, would pay the way for the establishment of such e-clinics in other parts of the country. The e-clinic is a joint effort by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Objective 

The main objective of this initiative is to segregate, process, and dispose of e-waste in an eco-friendly manner. The e-waste is collected either directly through the door to door campaign or submitted by an individual at the clinic. The e-waste collected from the residential and commercial establishments will be sent to Bengaluru for recycling. This initiative would help bring a long-term solution to the ever-increasing problem of e-waste in the country.

Requirement Of E-waste Clinic

According to the survey conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), around 2 million tons of e-waste is generated every year in the country. In the absence of a proper mechanism to handle e-waste, it is dumped along with the other kind of solid household waste. Under these circumstances, the establishment of e-waste clinics across the country will help address the problem of piled up e-waste.

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