GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO: 21
ANSWERED ON: 18.07.2022
E-Waste Management
Geeta Kora
Dileshwar Kamait
Locket Chatterjee
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:-

(a) the quantum of e-waste generated and the percentage of e-waste recycled in the country during the last three years, State-wise;

(b) whether the Government has published any e-waste management manual for effective disposal of e-waste;

(c) whether the unorganized e-waste processing units operating without proper guidelines, precautions or norms have caused serious environmental hazards to the surrounding areas;

(d) if so, the action proposed to be taken to control the environmental damage caused by e-waste;

(e) whether the Government has conducted a survey to understand e -waste production in the country and its future impact on health and the environment and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(f) whether the Government has outlined any awareness programs to inform the public about the importance of disposing of e-waste properly; and

(g) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) The percentage of e-waste processed (dismantled and recycled) out of the total e-waste generated in the country from twenty-one (21) types of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) notified Under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 during the last three years is given below: 

Financial Year Generation

E-waste processed (dismantled and recycled)

(Tonnes) (%) 

2017-18 7,08,445.00 9.798

2018-19 7,71,215.00 21.35

2019-20 10,14,961.21 22.07

The input data of e-waste generated is collated on national level only. 

(b) Ministry has notified E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 which were further amended in 2018for management of electronic waste generated due to discarding of electronic equipment by the consumers. The rules came into force since 1st October, 2016and have the following specific objectives:

? Extended Responsibility to producers to manage a system of E-waste collection, storage, transportation and environmentally sound dismantling and recycling through EPR Authorization (EPRA).

? To promote and encourage establishment of an efficient e-waste collection mechanism.

? To promote environmentally safe and sound recycling through authorized dismantlers and recyclers of e-waste.

? To minimize illegal recycling / recovery operations.

? Reduce hazardous substances in EEE. 

(c) to (e) The EEE after their useful life when they become e-waste, may not cause any harm to health and environment if it is stored safely. However, if un-scientific and crude methods are used for processing for retrieval of useful components or material or if the material is disposed in open, then it may cause health risks and damage to environment. Under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016, collection and processing of e-waste can be carried out only by producers or their authorised associates/ partners, authorised dismantlers, recyclers and authorized refurbisher. Non-compliance of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 may lead to adverse impact on environment and human health. Following steps have been taken to curb informal collection and unscientific dismantling and recycling of e-waste: 

• Under EPRA, a producer is required to get its e-waste managed only through an authorized dismantler or recycler of e-waste. 

• Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) grants EPRA only to those producers who have set up a system of collection of e-waste through authorised entity as per the above said rules. 

• An Action Plan for enforcement of E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016, across the country is in place since May, 2019. The action plan is to be implemented by all the States/UTs and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) are required to submit their quarterly progress reports to CPCB to review progress. In the said action plan, checking informal traders, dismantlers, recyclers of e-waste have been taken-up as one of the action points. Drives for identification of informal activities are to be done by all the SPCBs along with district administration of the State. An e-waste management review portal has also been developed for uploading status & progress ofe-waste action plan. 

• Actions, such as, constitution of teams for carrying out drives, issuing of notices, closure of operation, seizing the E-Waste against the informal processing are being taken up by the SPCBs/PCCs. Seventeen SPCBs/ PCCs started the drive against informal recycling as per the aforesaid Action Plan during Financial Year 2020-2021. 

• Under the aforesaid rules, provisions have been made for recognition and registering of workers involved in dismantling and recycling of e-waste. Under Rule 12(1) of the said rules, State Government has been entrusted with the responsibility to 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. 

(f) & (g) Under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016, producers of notified EEE have been given the responsibility of creating awareness among consumers and bulk consumers. The awareness programme includes creating awareness on system of collection, hazardous constituents of the EEE and on proper handling of e-waste including Dos and Don’ts. The Producer in its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Plan, provide details of proposed awareness plan. An action Plan on implementation of the said rules is in place and the same includes firming up IEC (information, education and communication) plan by state government for educating public at large about the system of collection, incentive structure and facilities for recycling. SPCBs/PCCs are require to carry out awareness programme among various stakeholders including consumers and bulk consumers. 

As per the information provided by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), being the nodal ministry for Electronics and IT, MeitYis involved in developing technology to recycle e-waste in an environment friendly manner. MeitY is promoting R&D to develop technological solutions for e-waste management in environment friendly manner. MeitY had implemented an “Awareness Programme on Environmental Hazards of Electronic waste” during March 2015 to March 2020 to create awareness among the public about the hazards of e-waste recycling by the unorganized sector and to educate them about alternate methods of disposing their e-waste.The programme has been implemented in a total of 31 identified states/UTs. 

Under the programme, in around 1923 workshops and activities organised in various cities and nearly 13,27,420 participants from School, colleges, RWA, manufacturer, informal operators, bulk consumer, dealers and refurbishers etc. and 5789 government officials have participated. Besides, 1247 GreenE Champions/ trainers have also been trained. The mass awareness amongst youth of the country, nearly 21.7 crore audience, has also been created by covering 2813 cinema halls. The programme has created training tools, content materials, films, printed materials, videos and jingles etc. for every strata of the society which are freely available on the dedicated website (www.greene.gov.in). In addition, online content for DIKSHA platform, suitable for class 7thto 9th students, has also been developed and is being used by the teachers.