The Environment Ministry on Wednesday released new rules to control the heaps of electronic waste that are piling up in the country every day.
For the first time, even CFl energy-efficient bulbs, which contain mercury, will have to be recycled. And, producers will have to provide details of how and where consumers can submit used bulbs.
Further, consumers of electronic/electric items (smartphones, laptops, TV, washing machines, microwave ovens, air conditioners etc) will get incentive for handing over the e-waste to retailers or dealers under a newly-introduced deposit refund scheme.
Releasing the new E-waste Management Rules, 2016, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said, “The norms have been made more stringent, reflecting our commitment to environmental governance.”
He maintained that a reverse chain has to be created by manufacturers to ensure electronic products are recovered for safe recycling. The rules will bring the producers under Extended Producer Responsibility, along with targets and requirements to collect e-waste and hand it over to recyclers.
Javadekar clarified that the process of dismantling and recycling has been simplified through uniformity in authorisation.
It would be the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) that will give the single authorisation throughout the country, the Minister added.
The country’s present generation of e-waste stands at 1.7 million tonnes every year, which is increasing at an annual rate of five per cent. However, only 25 per cent can be scientifically recycled, leaving the rest in hazardous conditions severely polluting land and water.
The new rules also introduce the role of State Governments to ensure safety, health and skill development of the workers involved in dismantling and recycling operations.
The Department of Industry in State or any other Government agency authorised in this regard by the State Government will ensure earmarking or allocation of industrial space or shed for e-waste dismantling and recycling in the existing and upcoming industrial park, estate and industrial clusters. A provision of penalty for violation of the norms has also been added.
The e-waste exchange as an option has been provided in the rules as an independent market instrument offering assistance or independent electronic systems offering services for sale and purchase of e-waste generated from end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment between agencies or organisations authorised under these rules.