Separate rules for e-waste disposal by May 15: Ramesh
April 19th, 2010 - 4:28 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, April 19 (IANS) The government will specify by May 15 a separate set of regulations for disposal of e-waste, parliament was informed Monday.
“Disposal of e-waste is becoming an increasingly important challenge for the government. Therefore, there is a need to take more precautionary measures. We will have a separate set of rules for this by May 15,” Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh said during question hour in the Rajya Sabha.
He was responding to a supplementary question on the steps taken by the government to ensure proper disposal of e-waste.
He also admitted to two major lacunae in the existing provisions.
“Hitherto, there were no separate regulations for the disposal of e-waste as this was governed by the rules relating to disposal of hazardous waste. This has been addressed by a separate set of rules,” he said.
More importantly, “some 85-90 percent of e-waste disposal is done in the unorganised sector, in cities like Moradabad and others, over which the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has no control”.
“The answer lies in bringing the unorganised sector into the formal sector,” Ramesh pointed out.
“I myself have seen in Dharavi (Asia’s largest slum in Mumbai) a flourishing recycling industry which no government has the courage to control as it would lead to an enormous loss of jobs,” he added.
Ramesh noted in this context that under the public-private-partnership model, 14 facilities would be created for proper treatment, storage and disposal of e-waste.
“India is both an importer and exporter of e-waste. Once the new rules are in place and we take a clear and tough stance on the disposal of e-waste, these will send a strong signal that we are serious about this.
“I would appeal to members to support the government’s efforts for the proper disposal of e-waste and not complain about jobs being lost (when units in the unorganised sector are shut down),” Ramesh added.
Replying to the main question on whether the government was aware that e-waste was directly affecting the environment, he said: “Based on a survey carried out by the CPCB, it is estimated that 1.47 lakh tonnes of e-waste was generated in the country and is expected to increase to about 8 lakh tonnes by 2012.”
He also deprecated the tendency to import second-hand computers and other electronic goods “in the name of charity”.
“This eventually finds its way into the disposal markets in the unorganised sector,” Ramesh pointed out.
- 'Draft e-waste rules will fail to curb illegal trade' - May 18, 2010
- Madhya Pradesh under hazardous wastes threat - Dec 25, 2010
- Finally a law to tackle mounting e-waste in India - Apr 22, 2010
- Mumbai highest e-waste producing city followed by Delhi - Feb 04, 2010
- Environmentalists seek new law on e-waste recycling - Jun 05, 2009
- Attero Recycling to set up e-waste unit in Bangalore - May 09, 2011
- E-waste growth gallops - Sep 13, 2011
- India prepares strictest rules on disposing of e-waste - Aug 18, 2009
- Act now, or you'll have e-waste mountain, UN tells India - Feb 24, 2010
- 'Government to bear 50% Capex for e-waste recycling facilities on PPP mode' - May 27, 2010
- United Nations representative pleased with India's handling of e-waste - Jan 21, 2010
- Waste-pickers' views will be reflected in policy: Ramesh - Jan 29, 2011
- Soon, protein supplements from slaughterhouse waste - Jan 04, 2011
- Centre approves Rs. 3.5 billion project to clear hazardous waste dump sites - Mar 20, 2010
- E-waste damages environment, endangers human health - May 31, 2011
Tags: central pollution control board, cpcb, disposal of hazardous waste, formal sector, lacunae, minister of state, moradabad, New Delhi, partnership model, pollution control board, precautionary measures, public private partnership, rajya sabha, ramesh, slum, strong signal, supplementary question, treatment storage, unorganised sector, waste disposal