India generates 18.5 lakh metric tonnes of electronic waste each year, with Delhi (98,000 MT) second on the list after Mumbai (1.2 lakh MT) as the biggest contributor. Proper disposal of e-waste is important because of hazards posed to health by the materials used in electronics, but almost a third of the disused electronic items are not reaching the authorisedewaste collectors in the capital.
“Most consumers give away their e-waste to a scrap dealer, who sends it to illegal processing centres,“ said Lalan Shah, owner of Krishna Trading, an authorised e-waste collector in Mayapuri. Because improper disposal of ewaste can release lead, mercury, heavy metals, carcinogens and dioxins into the environment, Delhi Pollution Control Committee issues a licence to collectors who have the wherewithal to deal with these. Legal processors recycle or retrieve valuables from the waste while getting rid of the residue in a safe manner.
Household electronics account for 75% of all e-waste generated, but most people are unaware of whom to approach to discard the old mobile phones, computers, laptops and other electronic devices.So a few collection companies are now looking at means to attract such households. PomPom Recycling Ltd, for instance, has released an app and also takes orders to help people get rid of unwanted electronics, while paying them for providing recyclable materials.
“At PomPom, we are try ing to create a solution for people to ensure their e-waste goes to government-approved recyclers. An app makes things more convenient,“ said Deepak Sethi, founder of PomPom Recycling. But it is a tough battle, fi nancially and operationally , for legal processors because of the unscrupulous tactics adopted by unauthorisedewaste sites. “We collect e-waste only from Delhi, but many illegal centres are bringing them in from neighbouring states. This has affected our business to an extent,“ admitted the supervisor at an Okhlaauthorised e-waste centre.
Illegal e-waste firms channel 95% of all e-waste processed in the country , according to a recent study conducted by Assocham-Frost and Sullivan. They , thus, deprive the authorised firms of not only revenues, but also the chance to break down electronics without endangering the health of citizens.
Owners of the legal cent res hope for better times under the new rules on e-waste management coming into effect from October this year.Under them, electronics manufacturers will be made responsible for the collection of discarded devices. CFL bulbs and other mercury-containing devices will fall under the ambit.
