Urgent need to tackle mounting e-waste

Local civic bodies must be roped in


UNMESH GUJARATHI
www.sproutsnews.com

Untreated e-waste that comprises electronic and electrical equipment is posing a major ecological problem in India. It has been reported that less than 25% of the e-waste generated by both industry and households is being properly handled.

Proper handling includes dismantling and recycling of e-waste after ensuring its prompt transportation and storage. The problem that is currently being faced in India is that like other forms of solid waste, e-waste too is either getting dumped in water bodies or left untreated in open spaces.

It was only in 2016 that the government came out with regulations for efficient management of e-waste. The regulations were put in place to ensure that e-waste does not pose environmental hazards.

Environment experts informed our Sprouts’ Special Investigation Team (SIT) that at least in urban pockets, including metro cities e-waste management should be brought under the control of the local civic body.

Currently, e-waste not falling under the purview of the civic or municipal authorities has made its management difficult. While solid waste gets separately treated by the civic bodies, e-waste that gets dumped out in the open is being left untreated.

According to the findings released by NITI Ayog, the quantity of e-waste being generated has registered a very steep increase and the problem requires urgent attention.