E-waste production and management in India, If you’ve read a newspaper or news article discussing our global environmental crisis, it might not come as too much of a surprise to find they’re often accompanied by images of trash and pollution. We see pictures of overflowing landfills, rivers stained yellow from industrial discharge, and mountains of waste being incinerated. It’s a common trope that elicits a sense that we can somehow fix the mess we’ve made if only it wasn’t all so out of hand. The truth is, we’re already doing our part through the waste management process, and we’ve been for a long time.
E-waste production and management in India, Over the last decade, the sale of electronic devices and equipment has increased in India as well as other countries. Today, India generates electronic waste in an unimaginable amount that has led to India becoming the third-largest producer of electronic waste across the globe after China and the United States. India has a low recycling capacity which is approximately 8 lakh tonnes each year. Electronic waste contains at least 69 elements from the periodic table that are highly valuable and tactical. The low recycling rate of the country is a sign of a huge loss of its incapability to mine precious metals and elements from electronic waste. Electronic waste contains many toxic elements as well poses health hazards to people in contact with it or in close proximity to it. It is an indication of the fact that electronic waste cannot be kept uncollected at all times. It is explained by higher officials that it is tough to create apparatus to put into effect systems in India for electronic waste management.
In the South Asian region, India is the only country having electronic waste legislation. In India, e-waste management is based on highly casual sector activities for recycling, collection, and dismantling. India is the third-largest producer of electronic waste, but still, its per capita input to electronic waste is much lower than the global average. Enforcing e-waste management rules and regulations in India still remains a challenge. The knowledge about the collection of e-waste, its proper disposal, and recycling also remains an unexplained challenge. Constant attention is to be paid to the implementation of these e-waste management rules and regulations and the fulfillment deficits. The current regulatory ignores the informal sector of the industry that continues illegal recycling and disposal of such type of e-waste. This issue requires questioning and stern manifestation of the rules and regulations. The Central Pollution Control Board CPCB has taken several measures to ensure the safe disposal and authorized recycling of electronic waste. Due to the heavy metals present in electronic waste like Hg, Pb, and Cd, it attracts the e-waste stakeholders to be interested in the processing of this kind of waste. The use and sale of electronic types of equipment are increasing day by day and poses a threat to everyone who comes in its vicinity. The use of computers, servers, mobile phones, and televisions is gradually reaching a maximum point that should be controlled.
Aboli Badhe
(Volunteer)
