The National Green Tribunal on Thursday directed State pollution control boards to submit complete information on e-waste generation, recycling and its disposal.
The hearing came in the wake of a plea filed by NGO, Toxics link which claimed that tonnes of second-hand or used goods are being dumped in the country leading to a huge pile-up of e-waste. They contended that the implementation of e-waste Rules is not being followed as envisaged under the law in the country .
The green bench, headed by Justice US Salvi, said that State pollution control boards are under the obligation to enforce e-waste Rules. It called for complete information regarding the process of inventories of e-waste, authorised collection, centers, number of bulk-consumers and volume of consumption, authorised dismantlers, authorised recyclers and the steps taken for awareness amongst the populace regarding the e-waste Rules .
The green panel also directed the State pollution control boards to provide complete information regarding total number of districts in each State and Union territory besides the district-wise population. The tribunal had earlier expressed concern over the huge amount of electronics waste piling up in each State which poses serious health and pollution problems.
According to the plea of the petitioner, electronics waste is discarded electrical or electronic devices which includes discarded computers, office electronic equipment, entertainment device electronics, mobile phones, television sets and refrigerators.
E-waste Rules, 2011 apply to every producer, consumer or bulk consumer involved in the manufacture, sale, purchase and processing of electrical and electronic equipment or components.
The NGO had sought a direction from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade to submit a report on the exact quantity of goods being dumped in the country under the Export Import Policy of India (2013-2014).
The matter has been listed for next hearing on December 3.