Disposal of e-waste

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2435
TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.08.2023
Disposal of e-waste
2435. DR. KIRODI LAL MEENA:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

(a) Whether the Government is aware about the ill-effects caused to mankind due to air Pollution being caused by non-scientific disposal of waste burning in the open in Rajasthan; 

(b) The steps taken by Government for disposal of electronic waste in a scientific manner in Rajasthan, the details thereof; 

(c) The steps taken by Government to deal with the growing amount of e-waste (electronic waste) along with the details thereof; 

(d) the number of trucks apprehended for carrying e-waste illegally and the traders associated with the same; and

(e) the details of the action taken upon them?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) to (e) Government is aware about the air pollution caused by non-scientific disposal of waste and is taking necessary action against such incidents. There are 27 E-waste recyclers/refurbishers authorised in Rajasthan for recycling of e-waste. Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board has been spreading awareness regarding E-waste through awareness campaign/print media/e-media/social media. E-waste collection drives have been carried out in phases for collection of e-waste in Rajasthan with collaboration of recyclers/producers/PROs. The State Government has issued e-waste policy for better implementation of e-waste rules. RIICO is launching integrated waste recycling park in Tholai, Jaipur, Rajasthan to promote recyclers for dismantling/recycling of wastes in scientific manner. State Pollution Control Board has also started inventorization of e-waste in selected cities of the State. The details of awareness campaign and E-waste collection drive is annexed as Annexure-I. To deal with the growing amount, the management of e-waste in the Country is regulated under the E-waste (Management) Rules, 2016. Under the said Rules, the responsibility of disposal of e-waste in a scientific and environmentally sound manner has been assigned to producers of notified electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) as listed in Schedule – I of the said rules under the principle of extended producer responsibility (EPR). Under EPR regime producers of EEE, have given annual e-waste collection and recycling targets based on the generation from the previously sold EEE or based on sales of EEE as the case may be. For enforcement of E-waste (Management) Rules, 2016, the major steps include identification of non-EPR authorization producers, State/UT wise inventorization of e-waste, verification of system provided by producers for e-waste channelization, verification of facilities of dismantlers/ recyclers, drives for checking informal activities, formulation of state level committee for monitoring implementation of rules and mass awareness activities etc. Under the action plan, monitoring and compliance of producers are ensured through Sate Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees. Under the existing rules, provisions are in place for action against the entities violating the said rules including any illegal transport.