Karnataka to regulate e-waste disposal

Karnataka plans to regulate disposal of electronic waste (e-waste) generated by the increasing use of information and communication gadgets in formal and informal sectors, a senior official said Wednesday.

"We are keen to put in place regulations for handling and disposing mounting e-waste across the state. Stakeholders should develop an ecosystem to generate wealth through e-waste," state environment secretary N. Sivasailam said at a seminar here.

Stressing on the need to develop sustainable business models to deal with e-waste, Sivasailam said proper systems had to be put in place to ensure systematic development of the e-waste industry.

"It is important to have a protocol in place to operate e-waste processing units. The protocol can be modified at periodic intervals based on feedback from stakeholders," the secretary told the seminar, organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham).

Assocham southern regional council co-chairman J. Crasta said a whopping 800,000 tonnes of e-waste was generated across India in 2012, reflecting a cumulative average growth rate of 27 percent since 2005.

"Mumbai along with Navi Mumbai is the highest generators of e-waste, followed by the National Capital Region (NCR) and Bangalore," he said.

Expressing concern over the growing e-waste processing in the informal sector leading to environmental and health hazards, Crasta called for efforts to increase share of the formal sector to make best use of it and generate employment opportunities.

"There is an urgent need to create awareness for scientific disposal of e-waste so as to reduce its menace on society," Crasta said.