Tackling e-waste

The booming use of cell phones has created a new but dangerous stream of waste called “electronic-waste”, or simply, e-waste. A recent survey reveals the fact that nearly 8 lakh tonnes of e-waste will be generated in India by the end of 2012. E- waste is made up of multiple components some of which contain toxic substances that have an adverse impact on human health and environment if not handled properly. Often, these problems arise out of improper recycling and disposal methods.

Lead exerts toxic effects on various systems in the body such as the central and peripheral nervous system and the reproductive systems (male and female). Mercury causes damage to the genitourinary system (tubular dysfunction), the central peripheral nervous system as well as the foetus. Cadmium components accumulate in the body, specially in the kidneys, and there is evidence of its role in carcinogenicity.

Polycyclic aromatic hydro carbons (PAH) affect the lungs, skin and bladder. In order to tackle the issue of e-waste, the government of India has enacted the following legislations: the Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000, the Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2003 and the Draft Hazardous Materials (Management, Handling and Tran sboundary Movement) Rules, 2007.

These laws cover generation, storage, transportation and disposal of hazardous waste but do not propose a streamlined collection mechanism. Most countries that have drafted regulation on e-waste (i.e., the European Union) have sought the participation and involvement of producers, as they are best equipped to address both upstream and downstream solutions in view of the complex material composition of such products.

The framework of Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) shifts the responsibility of safe disposal on to the producers. So it will be recycled in an environmental friendly manner. The EPR models being implemented in many developed countries need to be suitably altered to suit the localised conditions prevailing in the country.

There is an urgent need to bring together all the stakeholders and engage them in a debate to find sustainable solutions. The legislation should address the problem of imports as well as the domestic waste. Finally, it is suggested that major municipal corporations should take the responsibility of collecting of e-waste directly from consumers to be handed over to a recycler.

The reason behind this move is that eighty per cent of cell phone parts are recyclable and when recycled in a scientific manner, environmental pollution will be reduced. But the irony is that in India the informal sector is handling recycling process which should be banned.

Corporations should treat e-waste differently like bio-medical waste. At present only 3 per cent e-waste is reached to the recycler. They should put separate collection banks of e-waste in every nook and corner of the cities for the public to drop unused cell phones and other electronic gadgets in that basket.

In future, it is hoped we see green cell phones which are 100 per cent safer and environmental-friendly.

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