With the proposed rules for e-waste management ready for consultation, industry leaders will take up the issue with environment ministry officials on Thursday. The rules seek to make it mandatory for industries like computer manufacturing to take back products after they become unusable.
The proposed rules seek to address the issue of e-waste management by setting up a mechanism to regulate manufacturing, collection, transportation and trade of e-waste and its eco-friendly recycling.
Called the Electronic Waste (Handling and Management) Rules, 2008, the rules can be notified under Clause (c) and (d) of Sub-section (2) of Sections 6 and Sections 8 and 25 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The rules have been drafted by the Manufacturers Association of Information Technology (MAIT) and Greenpeace, Toxics Link and GTZ in consultation with industry leaders.
“The new norms need not necessarily add up to more costs for consumers. For example, recycling also includes extraction of precious metals, which can offset the higher costs, if any, for companies,” said Vinnie Mehta, executive director of MAIT
Leading industry leaders are reportedly supporting the proposal. Some of the electronic companies have already begun a voluntary elimination of toxic chemicals and take back of obsolete products. A spokesperson of Toshiba India said that the companys recycling initiative is in line with their pursuit of environmental friendly programme and continuing commitment of the company to preserve the environment for future generations.
Nokia India too has a take back programme. Ambrish Bakaya, director, corporate affairs, said that Nokia India has already collected 3 tonne of e-waste through its take-back programme introduced in four cities in January this year. The plan is to roll out the campaign to 15 cities
Refusing to comment on the specifics, Moon B Shin, MD, LG Electronics, said, “We have undertaken numerous initiatives to fulfil the objective of protecting the environment.”
It’s estimated that India generates about 382,979 tonne e-waste every year. It includes 1,000 tonne of electronics waste from PCs, TVs and mobile phones, according to MAIT and GTZ. Considering the magnitude of the problem, its easier to prevent generation of e-waste than manage it, said Ravi Agarwal, founding director, Toxics Link, an environmental NGO.
E-waste comprises about 1,000 types of substances or chemicals. While some of them can be a health hazard, others degrade environment. E-waste is mostly handled by the informal recycling sector.
The industry is currently governed by the guidelines for environmentally sound management of e-waste. These are voluntary guidelines and were issued by the ministry of environment and forests last year.
Source: The Financial Express
Published on 05 August 2009