Click to play videoNew Delhi: With technological advances, India is now confronted with a major environmental problem which is how to get rid of its increasing electronic waste.
The MOEF and Central Pollution Control Board has finally come up with guidelines on making disposal of e-waste more environment friendly. It puts the responsibility of disposal on the manufacturers, suggesting they set up e-waste disposal plants.
It also suggests bringing into legal purview unorganised sectors. It lays emphasis on organised collection of e-waste and suggests the use of cleaner material to replace hazardous materials like lead, mercury etc.
While environmentalists have welcomed the new guidelines, they fear not much will be achieved as they are just recommendatory in nature.
“A lot of waste comes in as junk as second hand or mislabeled computers. The customs donot know how to deal with it. A little more strict attitude at the customs level directed by the government will help,” says Environmental activist, Toxics Link, Ravi Aggarval.
These days most of us change our mobiles, electronic equipment, computers and laptops faster than we change our clothes. However, it does not cross our minds where the electronic waste goes after we dispose it off.
India generated 3.3 lakh tonne of e-waste in 2007, which is expected to touch 4.7 lakh tonne by 2011. Experts say 90 per cent of e-waste is broken down in a crude manner in unorganised sectors.
“All e-waste is hazardous in nature and you need to have facilities to deal with this,” says Environmental activist, Toxics Link, Ravi Aggarval,
While the guidelines have suggested a separate legislation for e-waste, until it comes into force, India will continue to be the world's junkyard for its unwanted e-waste.
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