by Ravi Agarwal | May 26, 2022 | Publications, Reports, 2004
Toxic e-waste patterns in Chennai underline the fact that the IT industry and the government need to take immediate steps to curb this menace before it overwhelms the city. Electronic waste, or e-waste as it is popularly called, is a collective terminology for the entire stream of electronic wastes such as used TVs, refrigerators, computers, mobile phones, etc. Computer waste is the most significant of all e-waste due to the gigantic amounts as well as the rate at which it is generated. E-waste is of particular concern to India. According to a report on the Indian IT Sector by Radha Gopalan, the rate of obsolescence of computers in India is 2% per week, that is, in 50 weeks time the value of the computer is effectively zero. To take stock of the scenario of e-waste, especially computer waste, Toxics Link conducted a pioneering study in and around Delhi. Fearing that the findings could just be a tip of an iceberg, Toxics Link has decided to conduct a similar study in South India.
by Ravi Agarwal | May 26, 2022 | Publications, Reports, 2004
The threat posed by Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) to humans and to the planet as a whole make their elimination a critical and immediate need. The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) has helped classify a set of chemicals which are especially toxic for the environment as well as human health. POPs are chemicals of concern globally because, though they may be locally manufactured and used, they impact the globe owing to their ability to travel long distances through a variety of media and pathways. Their impact has been recognised as deadly, since these chemicals accumulate in animal fat, magnify up the food chain and do not break down. They cause a variety of serious health effects in the short term as well as long term. Children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to POPs. They may be unsafe even at unbelievably low contaminations, the timing of the exposure being as critical as its dosage. Recognising them as a global problem is the first step towards taking global action for their minimisation and ultimate elimination.
by Ravi Agarwal | May 20, 2022 | Reports, 2006
Toying with Toxics: An Investigation of Lead and Cadmium in Soft Toys in Three Cities in India Title: Toying with Toxics: An Investigation of Lead and Cadmium in Soft Toys in Three Cities in IndiaPublication Type: Research ReportsYear of Publication: 2006Abstract: ...
by Ravi Agarwal | May 20, 2022 | Reports, 2007
Even as the Central Pollution Control Body seeks feedback on the draft guidelines on e-waste management in the country, Delhi-based Toxics Link has released a pioneering study mapping the e-waste scenario in Kolkata, revealing that not only is the city fast joining other metros in e-waste generation, but is also emerging as a major centre for hazardous e-waste recycling in its residential areas that is being imported from overseas apart from other parts of India. The study titled: “E-waste: Flooding the city of joy”, places the figure of e-waste generation in Kolkata at 9,000 tonnes annually. This only includes the waste generated from computers, television sets and refrigerators, implying that the figure is much higher if washing machines, cellphones, music players, compact disc/DVD players etc are also added. For more information please write us at info@toxicslink.org
by Ravi Agarwal | May 20, 2022 | Reports, 2007
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an emerging principle for a new generation of pollution prevention policies. It imposes accountability over the entire life-cycle of products and packaging introduced in the market. The aim of EPR is to encourage producers to prevent pollution and reduce resource and energy use in each stage of the product life cycle through changes in product design and process technology. The document discusses in details the policy instruments that embody the EPR principle. It essays the initiation of EPR and then talks on EPR programmes around the world with special emphasis on the EPR for electronic waste.
by Ravi Agarwal | May 20, 2022 | Reports, 2007
As a part of our ongoing efforts to facilitate a strong legislative action on electronic waste in the country, Toxics Link publishes study on the status of Waste from Electronic and Electrical Equipments (WEEE) in Mumbai. The report reveals that Mumbai is not just the leading generator of electronic waste in the country, but also discards a large part of it to Delhi and its adjoining areas where informal recycling sector process them in environmentally hazardous manner. For More info please write us at info@toxicslink.org
