Electronic waste, shortened as ‘e-waste,’ refers to old, end-of-life electronic appliances such as computers, laptops, televisions, radios, refrigerators, and so on that have been abandoned by users. E-waste contains a variety of important but hazardous compounds that can affect human health. If proper processes and precautions are not taken, recycling e-waste might be hazardous.
Sources of e-waste
Almost all used electronic items are considered e-waste, including discarded cell phones, cameras, CD players, TVs, radios, drillers, fax machines, photocopiers, printers, toners, ink cartridges, batteries, re-chargeable batteries, digital calculators and clocks, CRT monitors, electric solders, computer mother boards, key board, industrial and household electronic machinery such as oven, fridge, sewing & washing machines, fan, air conditioner, grinder, iron,
1. Volume of E-waste generated
India stands fifth in e-waste generation producing around 1.7 lakhs metric tonnes per annum
2. Involvement of Child Labor
In India, around 4.5 lakh child labourers between the ages of 10 and 14 are spotted engaging in various E-waste activities without proper protection and safeguards in various yards and recycling workshops. As a result, there is an urgent need to develop effective regulations to prohibit child labour from entering the E-waste market—its collection, segregation, and distribution.
3. Ineffective Legislation
Most SPCB/PCC webpages are devoid of any public information. 15 of the 35 PCBs/PCC do not have any E-waste information on their websites, which serve as their primary public interface. Even the fundamental E-waste Rules and Guidelines have yet to be uploaded. Citizens and institutional generators of E-waste are completely at a loss to deal with their garbage and do not know how to fulfil their responsibilities in the lack of any information on their website, particularly on details of recyclers and collectors of E-waste. As a result, the successful implementation of the E-waste Management and Handling Rules, 2012 has failed.
4. Lack of infrastructure-
There is a significant disparity between current recycling and collecting facilities and the amount of E-waste created. There are no collection or disposal methods in place. There aren’t enough recycle bins.
5. Health hazards-
Over 1,000 hazardous compounds are found in e-waste, contaminating soil and ground water. Headache, irritation, nausea, vomiting, and eye pain can all result from exposure. Recyclers may have liver, renal, and neurological problems. Due to lack of awareness, they are risking their health and the environment as well.
6. Lack of incentive schemes-
No clear guidelines are there for the unorganized sector to handle E-waste. Also no incentives are mentioned to lure people engaged to adopt formal path for handling E-waste. Working conditions in the informal recycling sector are only slightly worse than in the formal sector. No incentive schemes for producers who are doing something to handle e-waste.
7. Poor awareness and sensitization-
Limited reach out and awareness regarding disposal, after determining end of useful life. Also Only 2% of individuals think of the impact on environment while disposing off their old electrical and electronic equipment.
8. E-waste imports –
Cross-border flow of waste equipment into India- 80 percent of E-waste in developed countries meant for recycling is sent to developing countries such as India, China, Ghana and Nigeria.
9. Reluctance of authorities’ involved-
Lack of coordination between various authorities responsible for E-waste management and disposal including the non-involvement of municipalities.
10. Security implications-
End of life computers often contain sensitive personal information and bank account details which, if not deleted leave opportunity for fraud.
11. High cost of setting up recycling facility-
Furthermore, the report argues that sophisticated technology recycling projects (including metallurgy and non ferrous metal refining) are at a greater economic disadvantage than basic process activities and are not economically viable in general. Except for a few, formal recycling organisations in India are only confined to pre-processing of e-waste material, with crushed e-waste containing valuable metals transferred to smelting refineries outside India. The formal sector in India still has a long way to go in adopting cutting-edge technology for e-waste recycling, partly due to difficulties in procuring e-waste and partly due to the challenge in making such high-end investments in such superior and pricey technologies profitable.
12. Lack of research-
Government must encourage research into the development and standards of hazardous waste management, environmental monitoring and the regulation of hazardous waste-disposal.
Existing laws relating to e waste are
• Tran’s boundary movement of e-waste covered under the Basel convention.
• India ratified the convention in 1992.
• Waste importers exploit such gaps as listed in the convention.
• Allowed to import against a license.
• Covered under the “Hazardous Waste Amended Rules, 2003” in List A and B of Schedule 3. `{`6`}`
• The Rule is inadequate to handle generation, transportation and disposal of this complex waste.
• Regulators unable to monitor and regulate the informal sector.
Proposed Solutions to the Problem of e waste
• Domestic legal framework to address these gaps in import of E Waste
• Need to address safe disposal of domestic waste.
• Tie recycling in with take-back product
• The Framework should address the issue of E waste imports for reuse and recycling.
• Attract investment in this sector
• Link up activities of informal sector with formal sector
• Provide for appropriate framework for processes
• Promote adequate ESM technologies for recycling
• Incorporate precautionary principles and polluter pays
• Insist on domestic processing
• Then make sure the company you select has capacity to handle either type of E-Scrap.
• Promote recycling units to ease process and to encourage generators to have proper e-waste disposal
• Impart training to generators on e-waste handling
• Awareness program on recycling
• Fix duties and responsibilities to recyclers
• Tax incentives for scrap dealers
• Reward and reprimand schemes for performance and non-compliance of e-waste management
