E Waste Essay

SCENARIO OF E-WASTE IN INDIA AND ITS MANAGEMENT

ESM TERM PAPER

CONTENTS:

INTRODUCTION

IMPACT OF E-WASTE

CONTENT OF E-WASTE

MARKET OF E-WASTE

EXISTING SCENARIO OF INDIA

SUGGESTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR E-WASTE HANDLING AND MANAGEMENT

TECHNIQUES ADOPTED FOR E-WASTE MANAGEMENT

REFERENCES

INTRODUCTION:

The fast growth of electronic industry with huge quantities of toxic chemical materials has led to an age of high quantities of waste which is known as e-waste. This is the era where science and technology are changing every second. We human beings have become a slave of technology and electronic products such as laptops, tabs, refrigerator, smart phones and many others. It has become impossible for

Early 2000’s saw India’s steady and remarkable growth in GDP which lifted millions of people from low income groups to middle income groups. Now, the country was going through digital revolution (as the whole world) with computers and laptop became household commodity in certain segment of society. The waste that was being generated from this revolution caught attention of regulators somewhere around 2003-2004, when stockpile of waste began affecting the environment in negative way.

CONTENT OF E-WASTE:

E-waste constitutes of various electronic hardware such as Computers, Laptops, Cell phones, Television sets, etc.

E-waste comprises of lead, zinc and other metals or plastics which adversely affect the environment. It accounts for 40% of lead and 70% of heavy metals found in landfills. It can lead to groundwater pollution, soil acidifications and air pollution.

A WHO study shows that radiation is emitted by e-waste such as cell phones and laptops and the waves generated by them becomes a source of radiation which harms the environment.

According to the survey done by NASSCOM, India generates 2.7 million tonnes of e-waste annually. The main sources of e-waste in the country

It starts by saying that the rules will apply to every producer, consumer or a bulk consumer involved in the manufacture, sale, purchase or consumption of electronic or electrical equipment.

In chapter- 1, the definition of each and every jargon and term coming in the rules have been clearly defined leaving no ambiguity in the intention. Starting from “Act”, “bulk consumer” to “e-waste”, everything has been well defined.

In chapter- 2, the responsibilities of producer, collection centres, bulk consumer, dismantler and recycler have been listed separately.

Responsibilities of the producer:

1. Collecting the e-waste that was produced during the manufacture of electronic goods. He also needs to channelize it for recycling or disposal.

2. E-waste generated from ‘end of life’ of their products should also be collected.

3. Collection centres to be set up by the producer.

4. Financing and organising to manage the costs involved in the e-waste management.

5. Providing contact details and addresses as to help consumers or bulk consumers in returning the used electronic or electrical