Imported Old Equipment Are Toxic Waste

India must stop importing old equipment (e-waste) from foreign countries because other countries use this as a means to dump their toxic waste. On Friday, various stakeholders ranging from manufacturers to recyclers unilaterally agreed that the import of old equipment for recycling or reuse must be deleted from the final
E-Waste (Handling & Management) Rules 2010. The stakeholders along with the Maharashtra E-Waste Association and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board debated the draft rules. Suggestions and objections from stakeholders were invited and will be sent to the Ministry of Environment and Forest within one week.

“For example, we don’t want foreign countries to provide computers as charity for schools in India. It’s the route for dumping into the country that is used as the final resting place,” said Satish Sinha, executive director, Toxics Link. “We should follow the rules of the Basel Convention that restrict transboundary movement of hazardous waste as India is a signatory to it. Even second-hand goods though permitted by the convention, must not be dumped here.”

The debate assumes significance because the Central Pollution Control Board in February said Mumbai topped the list of electronic waste producing cities in the country followed by Delhi. While in 2005, 146,800 tonnes of e-waste was generated in India, the number is is expected to increase to 800,000 by 2012.

Apart from the listed items that generate e-Waste such as large and small household appliances, toys, medical devices, electronic and electrical tools, there was also a consensus that the new rule should incorporate lighting equipment such as CFL bulbs and lights.

Unlike Europe and even China, the draft rules either do not define threshold limits of chemicals in materials that can be make its way into the country or they are much below those specified world over. This leads to dumping of low quality products in India.
Source: Hindustan Times

Flying Squads To Track E-waste

The Maharashtra Government will soon appoint flying squads to check the disposal of e-waste, which has a hazardous impact on the city’s environment.

An announcement in this regard was made by Minister of State for Environment, Sachin Ahir in the Legislative Council last week. “The flying squads are necessary to monitor disposal of e-waste in the city, as a report released by state pollution board indicates an alarming 50,000 tonnes of e-waste could be generated per year,” Ahir said.

The state has started disposal centres at Taloja, Butibori and Ranjangaon near Pune. Containers carrying e-waste are being tracked by GPS system to ensure waste is disposed properly, the minister said.

The Centre has come up with a draft proposal to be converted into an Act for proper disposal of e-waste and has invited suggestions. Mumbai generates 20,000 tonnes of e-waste and old computers account for 14,000 tonnes. The rest is generated by old TV sets, washing machines and refrigerators. 
Source: Mumbai Mirror

E -Waste Gyaan For Aam Admi

MPCB to conduct workshop on e-Waste management

Mumbaikars have been found guilty of flouting environmental norms with regard to disposal of e-Waste. So, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has decided to hold a one-day workshop for the aam admi or common man, to teach them e-Waste management. he workshop to be conducted at the MPCB office at Sion on July 16 will be open to all.

Y B Sontakke, regional officer (e-Waste) from MPCB said people will be taught to dispose e-Waste safely.
Citing a recent example, another official from MPCB said that tonnes of hazardous waste were found lying at Kharghar ground. "We are yet to find out, who dumped the material there," he added.

B K Soni, an expert on e-Waste recycling, said, "Representatives from both residential complexes and industries are invited. The purpose is to make people aware of the hazards of dumping e-Waste carelessly and the damage it can do to nature."

Approved Recycling plants in Mumbai
Bhiwandi: 2
Thane: 2
Pune: 2
Murbad: 1
Vasai: 1