Tackling E-waste

SANSAD TV - Discussion May 19, 2024 121 Add to Reading List

India is considering using two universal chargers for all mobile phone brands and portable devices to address the e-waste problem.

Key Points:

E-Waste Generation: India produced approximately five million tonnes of e-waste in 2021, ranking behind only China and the USA, according to an ASSOCHAM-EY report on electronic waste management.
Simplification and Reduction: The adoption of two standard chargers for all mobile phone brands and portable devices in India aims to simplify consumer experiences and reduce the significant amount of e-waste generated in the country.
Global Trend: Many advanced economies, such as the European Union (EU), are already transitioning to standard charging devices. The EU has mandated the USB-C port as the standard for all devices by mid-2024, including Apple's iPhone, which currently uses its own standard.
Benefits of Standardization: The EU's move means that European consumers will no longer need different charging devices and cables for each new mobile phone purchase. Additionally, the requirement for providing chargers with new phones and similar devices may be eliminated, as users will already possess the necessary accessories.

What is E-Waste :

E-Waste, short for Electronic Waste, refers to old, discarded, or end-of-life electronic appliances, including their components, consumables, parts, and spares.

In India, laws governing e-waste management have been in place since 2011, with the enactment of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016, which mandate that only authorized dismantlers and recyclers collect e-waste.

To address the growing e-waste problem, India's first e-waste clinic has been established in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. This clinic is dedicated to segregating, processing, and disposing of waste from household and commercial units.

The Basel Convention, initially established in 1992, did not specifically address e-waste. However, it was amended in 2006 (COP8) to include provisions for managing electronic waste.

At COP9 of the Basel Convention, the Nairobi Declaration was adopted, aiming to create innovative solutions for the environmentally sound management of electronic waste, further highlighting the global effort to tackle this issue.

Challenges Related to the Management of E-Waste in India:

Less Involvement of People: Consumers often do not give used electronic devices for recycling, contributing to e-waste accumulation. Efforts to pass 'right to repair' laws aim to address this issue.
Involvement of Child Labor: Approximately 4.5 lakh child laborers, aged 10-14, are engaged in e-waste activities in India, often without adequate protection or safeguards.
Ineffective Legislation: There is a lack of public information on most State Pollution Control Boards' websites, hindering effective regulation and management of e-waste.
Health Hazards: E-waste contains over 1,000 toxic materials that can contaminate soil and groundwater, posing health risks to communities.
Lack of Incentive Schemes: The unorganized sector lacks clear guidelines for handling e-waste, and there are insufficient incentives to encourage formal adoption of e-waste management practices.
E-waste Imports: A significant portion of e-waste in developed countries is exported to developing countries like India, exacerbating the problem of e-waste management.
Reluctance of Authorities: There is often a lack of coordination among various authorities responsible for e-waste management, including municipalities, leading to ineffective management and disposal practices.
Security Implications: End-of-life computers may contain sensitive personal information and bank account details, posing security risks if not properly deleted before disposal, potentially leading to fraud or identity theft.

Provisions regarding E-waste in India:

E-Waste Management Rules: India has formal rules for electronic waste management, initially announced in 2016 and amended in 2018. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change released the draft notification for Electronic Waste Management.
Coverage of Products: Over 21 products, including Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) and other mercury-containing lamps, are included under the rules' purview (Schedule-I).
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Producers are made responsible for the collection and exchange of e-waste, with targets set for their compliance. Producers can establish a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) for e-waste collection and disposal.
Deposit Refund Scheme: An economic instrument where consumers pay a deposit at the time of purchase, refunded with interest upon returning end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment.
State Government Involvement: State governments are tasked with ensuring the safety, health, and skill development of workers involved in dismantling and recycling operations.
Penalties for Violation: Provisions for penalties are introduced for violations of the rules to ensure compliance.
Role of Urban Local Bodies: Municipal bodies are responsible for collecting orphan products and channelizing them to authorized dismantlers or recyclers.
Space Allocation: Proper space allocation is mandated for existing and upcoming industrial units engaged in e-waste dismantling and recycling operations.

E-waste Recycling Practices in India:

Informal Sector Dominance: Approximately 95% of India's e-waste is recycled in the non-formal sector, with only 5% handled in formal units.

Collection and Disassembly: Non-formal units typically collect e-waste from ragpickers and disassemble products to salvage usable parts, components, and modules with resale value.

Chemical Treatment: Remaining materials undergo chemical treatment to recover precious metals like gold, silver, aluminum, and copper. However, this process may lead to leaching of hazardous substances into the environment due to inadequate means.

Limited Efficiency: Recycling in the informal sector has low efficiency, with recovery primarily focused on valuable metals. Materials like tantalum, cadmium, zinc, and palladium often remain unrecovered.

Conclusion:

To address the pressing issue of electronic waste management in India, it is imperative to focus on policies and better implementation methodologies. This involves encouraging the involvement of startups, companies, and the informal sector in e-waste collection and recycling.

Inclusion Policies: There is a crucial need for inclusion policies that accommodate and validate the contributions of the informal sector. By engaging informal sector workers, we can enhance e-waste management practices, protect the environment, and improve the health and working conditions of laborers.

Consumer Participation: Increasing collection rates requires the active involvement of all stakeholders, including consumers. Educating and incentivizing consumers to responsibly dispose of electronic waste can significantly contribute to better e-waste management.

Employment Generation: Promoting cooperatives and expanding the scope of existing regulations to include the informal sector can not only improve e-waste management but also generate employment opportunities for millions of people. This approach ensures environmentally sustainable practices while facilitating easy monitoring of e-waste management activities.