Poor management of e-waste to attract financial penalty: Govt

Considering the "phenomenal" growth of e-waste in the country, the Centre today notified the revised e-waste management rules 2016 under which improper management of such refuse leading to environment damage will invite financial penalty.

While CFL and other mercury lamps have been brought within the ambit of the e-waste management rules 2016, a "Deposit Refund Scheme" has been introduced under which the producer of any computer, mobile phone or other electronic product will have to persuade consumers to return the products after usage for a small sum.

The 2016 rules are in supersession of the e-waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011.
 

"The government has revised the e-waste management rules. E-waste is growing at a phenomenal rate. Today, every year more than 17 lakh tonnes of such waste is generated. It is growing at a five per cent rate every year and is set to grow further. Also, dismantling of e-waste is done in an unorganised way," Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters here.

"People are after precious metals like gold and silver. They take it out of the product and burn it which is why toxic gases are generated. They then throw the waste in water or to leeches.

"The workers who are involved in this task suffer from neurological disorders, skin diseases and cancer. Therefore, we have decided to revamp the rules and adopt the best modern practices," he said.

The Union Minister said 100 crore mobiles are used every year in the country, out of which 25 crore become e-wastes.

Javadekar said the norms have been made more stringent and the revamp reflects the government's commitment to environmental governance.

He said for the first time, the producers will be brought under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and made responsible for collection of e-waste and its exchange.

"The bulk consumers must collect the items and hand them over to authorised recyclers. Various producers can have a separate Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) and ensure collection of e-waste as well as its disposal in an environmentally sound manner.

"There is a liability clause with financial penalties, where environmental degradation is happening and things are not being done scientifically," Javadekar said.
Javadekar said the process of dismantling and recycling

of e-waste has now been simplified through a uniform system of authorisation.

"The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will give the single authorisation throughout the country," he said.

He said the draft rules, 2015 had been notified for public consultation on June 10 last year and the Ministry received approximately 584 suggestions in this regard.

Deposit Refund Scheme has been introduced as an additional economic instrument wherein the producer charges an additional amount as a deposit at the time of sale of the electrical and electronic equipment and returns it to the consumer along with interest when the end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment is returned. Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) and other mercury containing lamps have been brought under the purview of the new rules, he said.

The phase-wise collection target for e-waste, which can be either in number or weight, shall be 30 per cent of the quantity of waste generation as indicated in EPR Plan during first two years of implementation of rules followed by 40 per cent during third and fourth years, 50 per cent during fifth and sixth years and 70 per cent during seventh year onwards, the rules said.

The Union Minister added the role of state governments has also been introduced to ensure safety, health and skill development of the workers involved in dismantling and recycling operations.

Under the new rules, the refurbisher also need to collect e-waste generated during the process of refurbishing and channelise the waste to authorised dismantler or recycler through its collection centres and seek one time authorisation from State Pollution Control Board (SPCB).

As per the rules, the department of industry in state will ensure earmarking of industrial space for e-waste dismantling and recycling in the existing and upcoming industrial parks.

"The department of labour in a state will ensure recognition and registration of workers involved in dismantling and recycling, assist formation of groups of such workers to facilitate setting up dismantling facilities and undertake industrial skill development activities.

"State government will also have to prepare an integrated plan for effective implementation of these provisions and submit annual reports to Environment Ministry," Javadekar added.