At a time when the government of India has been emphasizing on Swachch Bharat Abhiyaan and Smart Cities project, the country is keeping its dubious distinction of generating highest e-waste after China, USA, Japan and Germany find a study.
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As per the recent study of ASSOCHAM-NEC on the eve of “Environment Day” on June 5, amongst the state Maharashtra tops e-waste generator but recycles only about 47,810 tonnes per annum (TPA), with its only 32 recycling unit, whereas its counterparts Tamil Nadu (13%) recycles about 52,427, Uttar Pradesh (10.1%) recycles about 86,130, West Bengal (9.8%), Delhi (9.5%), Karnataka (8.9%), Gujarat (8.8%) and Madhya Pradesh (7.6), noted the joint study.
Sources of E-waste –
Discarded computer monitors, motherboards, Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT), Printed Circuit Board (PCB), mobile phones and chargers, compact discs, headphones, white goods such as Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD)/ Plasma Television, air conditioners, refrigerators and so on.
The global volume of e-waste generated is expected to reach 52.2 million tons or 6.8 kg per inhabitant by 2021 from 44.7 million tons in 2016 at a compound annual growth rate of 20 percent- the study says.
Out of the total e-waste produced in 2016, only 20% (8.9 MT) is documented to be collected properly and recycled, while there is no record of the remaining e-waste. The quantity of e-waste generated worldwide is expected to grow at a rate of 3.15 % (CAGR), due to which the estimate for the year 2018 has risen to 47.55 MT, noted the joint study.
Percentage wise E-waste Sources in India –
• Computer equipment accounts for almost 70% of e-waste material
• Telecommunication equipment (12%),
• Electrical equipment (8%)
• Medical equipment (7%).
• Household e-crap account for the remaining 4%
The total value of all raw materials present in e-waste is estimated at approximately USD 61.05 billion in 2016, which is more than the GDP of most countries in the world, pointed out the joint study.
E-waste generated in India is about 2 million TPA (tonnes per annum), the quantity that is recycled is about 4,38,085 TPA. In states like Karnataka has 57 units with a capacity to process nearly 44,620 tonnes.
State wise recycle units and number of recycled quantity-
• Maharashtra has 32 units that can process 47,810 tonnes;
• Uttar Pradesh has 22 units to process 86,130 tonnes;
• Haryana has 16 units to process 49,981 tonnes,
• Tamil Nadu has 14 to process 52,427 in metric tons per annum,
• Gujarat has 12 units to process 37,262 tonnes
• Rajasthan has 10 units to process 68,670
• Telangana has 4 units to process 11,800 metric tons per annum respectively.
Sadly, a mere 5% of India’s total e-waste gets recycled due to poor infrastructure, legislation, and framework which lead to a waste of diminishing natural resources, irreparable damage of environment and health of the people working in the industry.
Over 95% of e-waste generated is managed by the unorganized sector and scrap dealers in this market, dismantle the disposed of products instead of recycling it, the study added.
Damages E-Waste Causing-
High and prolonged exposure to these chemicals/ pollutants emitted during unsafe e-waste recycling leads to damage of nervous systems, blood systems, kidneys and brain development, respiratory disorders, skin disorders, bronchitis, lung cancer, heart, liver, and spleen damage.
The current rate of e-waste generation in India is 4.56 times greater than the annual e-waste processing capacity offered by the nation, which leads to improper and illegal dumping/ disposal of the hazardous e-waste, which further leads to environmental and health hazards, reveals the paper.
This includes 2 million tonnes generated in India, which has one of the fastest growing electronics industries in the world. Besides, electronics import also adds to waste. India’s e-waste production is likely to touch three million tonnes by the end of 2018.
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