Sansad TV Perspective: Tackling E waste

In the series Sansad TV Perspective, we bring you an analysis of the discussion featured on the insightful programme ‘Perspective’ on Sansad TV, on various important topics affecting India and also the world. This analysis will help you immensely for the IAS exam, especially the mains exam, where a well-rounded understanding of topics is a prerequisite for writing answers that fetch good marks.

In this article, we feature the discussion on Tackling E waste.

Anchor: Vishal Dahiya

Guests:

1. Dr. Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI
2. Akshay Jain, Founder and MD, Namo eWaste
3. Urmi Goswami, Senior Journalist

Context:

• India is planning a shift to two standard chargers across mobile phone brands and portable-electronic devices and in this regard, the Consumer Affairs Ministry recently held discussion with stakeholders and an expert committee will be set up soon to finalize the norms for the standard chargers.
• This move is in line with developments in other advanced economies which too are moving towards standard charging devices. 
  • The European Union (EU) has ordered the USB-C port as standard for all devices by mid-2024, including Apple’s iPhone, which at present uses its own standard. 

Background:

E- Waste management in India- Challenges:

• India is fast emerging as a major producer of e-waste given the large market for electronic goods in India. According to an ASSOCHAM-EY report on electronic waste management, India is estimated to have generated five million tonnes of e-waste in 2021, ranking only behind after China and the USA.
• According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, a very low proportion of the e-waste generated in India is being reclaimed by the producers despite the provision of Extended Producer Responsibility regulation under e-waste management rules in India. Hence a large proportion of e-waste generated in India remains unattended to or remains un-recycled. Lack of sufficient infrastructure to recycle and manage e waste in India remains a major reason for this. E-waste has many adverse impacts on the environment as well as human health.
• Notably, the informal sector accounts for a substantial share of the e-waste recycling in India. This is worrisome because of the mostly unscientific methodology adopted in such informal recycling units. This is not a safe mode of disposable of e-waste as it can lead to release of hazardous waste into the environment.
• Lack of awareness among the general citizenry on the significance of e-waste management and lack of sustainable and environmentally friendly practices among the usage of electronic products.

Significance of having a standard charger:

• The shift towards common chargers for electronic devices will not only simplify things for consumers, but also cut down on massive amounts of e-waste generated in the country and will thus play an important role in tackling the issue of E-waste in India.
• Also the standardization of chargers will simplify the processing of such e-waste after they complete their lifecycle. This will improve the recycling efficiency and also reduce costs.

Recommendations:

• Need for formalization of the e waste management sector in India.
• E waste needs to be better managed. This sector needs to be better endowed with technology. 
• Need to look at e-waste as a resource. Many metals can be recovered and this needs to be highlighted. This sector should also be seen as a source of employment generation.
• There is the need to look at solutions which can address the ground challenges in India with respect to e- waste management. There is the need to integrate informal sector into collection and segregation chains. Processing can happen in the formal sector.
• Avoid India from becoming a dumpsite for substandard electronic goods into India.
• Need to mainstream attention on consumer awareness. Stress on the aspects of reducing, reusing and recycling of electronic goods among the general citizenry. Make them aware of the hazards on e-waste.
• Aspects such as right to repair should also be focussed upon. This will also help reduce e waste management challenges in India.

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