E-waste: NGT seeks info on generation, recycling and disposal

Heeding to a plea that the implementation of e-waste Rules as envisaged under the law was not being done properly, the National Green Tribunal has directed state pollution control boards to submit complete information on e-waste generation, recycling and its disposal.
"State pollution control boards (SPCBs) are under obligation to enforce e-waste Rules and it is the grievance of the applicant that the implementation of e-waste Rules as envisaged in the Rules is not taking place all over the country.
"The complete information regarding the inventorization of e-waste, authorized collection, centers, number of bulk- consumers and volume of consumption, authorized dismantlers, authorized recyclers and the steps taken for awareness amongst the populace regarding the e-waste Rules is not forthcoming. We expect SPCBs to place such information...," a bench headed by Justice U S Salvi said.

The green panel directed the state pollution control boards to provide complete information regarding total number of districts in each state and Union territory besides the district-wise population.
The matter has been listed for next hearing on December 3.
The tribunal had earlier expressed concern over the huge amount of electronics waste piling up in each state which poses serious health and pollution problems.

It was hearing a plea by NGO Toxics Link which claimed that tonnes of second-hand or used goods are being dumped in India leading to a pile-up of e-waste.
The NGO had sought a direction to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to submit a report on the exact quantity of goods being dumped in the country under the Export Import Policy of India (2013-2014).

Electronics waste is discarded electrical or electronic devices which includes discarded computers, office electronic equipment, entertainment device electronics, mobile phones, television sets and refrigerators.
E-waste Rules, 2011 apply to every producer, consumer or bulk consumer involved in the manufacture, sale, purchase and processing of electrical and electronic equipment or components.