e-Waste Growing At 10 Percent Annually In India: Study

India is emerging as one of the major electronic waste generators in the world, recording a 10 percent annual growth, a study has found.

The study by a research company with support of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) released yesterday has found that over 95 percent of the e-waste is segregated, dismantled and recycled in the unorganised sector based in urban slum areas in metro cities.

Electronic products, which have reached end-of-life, like television sets, personal computers, mobile phones and electronic appliances come in the category of e-waste.

The study found that e-waste is growing at a rate of 10 percent annually in India and is likely to touch 434,000 metric tonnes this year.

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“The study identified an apparent gap in both technological status and market viability of organised recycling industry. We do not have rules and laws in place for e-waste management and there is a need to address the issue,” said DSIR advisor Jyoti Bhatt.

Commenting on the study, Electronics Industry Association (ELCINA) secretary general Rajoo Goel said, “The industry needs advanced e-waste recycling facilities, which do not pose a threat to both workers and to the environment. This can be made possible with enactment of existing e-waste guidelines into legislation.”

The study also recommended urgent technological innovation and market intervention in tackling the problem.

There are about 25,000 people employed in the unorganised sector in e-waste management and they often work in a hazardous environment. Efforts should be made for developing a symbolic relationship between organised and unorganised sector in the process of collection of e-waste, the study said. (IANS)