India generated more than 10 lakh tonnes of electronic waste in 2019-20: Ministry

Published on March 23 , 2022

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Sahil Sharma

India generated more than 10 lakh tonnes of electronic waste in 2019-20, said a press release by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change on March 14.

The e-waste numbers increased from over seven lakh tonnes in 2018-19 to over 10 lakh tonnes in 2019-20. This has been the biggest increase in e-waste the country has seen.

Under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016, 21 types of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) have been notified. These notified EEE at the end of their life become e-waste. 

The import and export of hazardous and other wastes is regulated under the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 notified by the Ministry, as per the press release.

The increase in generation of e-waste is due to increase in the sales of EEE in the country in previous years.

https://twitter.com/timesofindia/status/1498885669438976000

The management of e-waste in the Country is regulated under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016. Under the said rules, the responsibility of disposal of e-waste in a scientific and environmentally sound manner has been assigned to producers of notified Electrical & Electronic Equipment (EEE) under the principle of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). 

Under EPR regime producers of EEE, have given annual e-waste collection and recycling targets based on the generation from the previously sold EEE or based on sales of EEE as the case may be.

The compliance monitoring is done through an Action Plan developed by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for enforcement of E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 in the Country. 

As per the press release, the major action points include identification of Non-EPR authorization producers, State/UT wise inventorization of e-waste, verification of system provided by producers for e-waste channelization, verification of facilities of dismantlers/recyclers, drives for checking informal activities, formulation of State Level Committee for monitoring implementation of rules and mass awareness activities etc.

Under the action plan, monitoring and compliance of producers are ensured through State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees. 

Further, under the existing rules, provisions are in place for action against the companies who are violating the said rules.

(Banner image credits: https://commons.wikimedia.org/)

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