Definition of E waste

Electronic Waste
(E-Waste) Management

Electronic waste includes computers, entertainment electronics, mobile phones and other items that have been discarded by their original users. While there is no generally accepted definition of electronic waste, in most cases electronic waste consists of electronic products that were used for data processing, telecommunications, or entertainment in private households and business that are now considered obsolete, broken, or irreparable. Despite its common classification as a waste, disposed electronics are a considerable category of secondary resource due to their significant suitability for direct reuse (for example, many fully functional computers and components are discarded during upgrades), refurbishing, and material recycling of its constituent raw materials.

Emergence of E-waste in the country

The computer and consumer electronic revolution resulted from the liberalization of the policy of 1990’s has had a hitherto overlooked effect i.e., the emergence of E-waste. One just needs to take a look around the innumerable electronic recycling units in and around Delhi to see that Capital is the hub of this informal industry. You can see men, women and children engaged in dis-assembling computers and other electronics items with a complete disregard for their own safety and the environment.

Estimate of e-waste

The first comprehensive study to estimate the annual generation of e-waste in India is being undertaken by the National WEEE taskforce. So far the preliminary estimates suggest that total WEEE generation in India is approximately 1,46,000 tonnes per year. The topy states in order of highest contribution to WEEE include Maharastra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi, Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab. The city wise ranking of largest WEEE generators is Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, pune, Surat and Nagpur.

An estimated 30,000 computers become obsolete every year from IT industries in Bangalore alone. The Reason an extremely high obsolescence rate of 30 % per year.

Almost 5-7% of the PCs sold in India are products from the secondary market and are assembled on old components. The remaining market share is covered by multinational and Indian Brands.

Legislation

The Government of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests have notified the Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989 which was amended in 2000 and 2003. The E-wastes are regulated under these rules.

Industrial and medical units are not the only generators of E-wastes. The users of electrical and electronic gadgets users also generate E-wsate. According to an assessment made in a study commissioned by Central Pollution Control Board to M/s IRG South Asia (Pvt.) Ltd. New Delhi, the estimated total generation of electrical and electronic wastes in the country is about 1,46,000 tonnes per year. The study also revealed that approximately 29,000 tonnes of E-wastes is generated in the four Metro cities in the country.

According to the Hazardous Waste (Management and handling) Rules, 1989 as amended in 2003, the residues and wastes generated from the operations in electronic industry are considered as hazardous wastes and are listed Sl. No. 31 Schedule 1 of these rules. Further, as per the provision of these rules Electrical and Electronics Assemblies are covered under Categories A-1180 and B-1110 in Schedule 3 which are applicable for import and export of hazardous wastes. The import of wastes under this category are only permitted for direct reuse and not for recycling or final disposal. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has undertaken a study for the preparation of “Guideline Document for Environmentally sound Recycling of E-Waste.” for the State Pollution Control Boards and pollution Control Committee of the Union Territories and the industries for handling E-wastes.

Together, we can make a difference
for Cleaner, Healthier & Greener living...

Together, we can make a difference
for Cleaner, Healthier & Greener living...