Tiruchi Corporation’s e-waste collection centre to streamline collection and disposal of electronic waste in the city is yet to become functional as the civic body is awaiting clearance from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB).
The collection centre, to be run by an authorised agency, was established beneath the road over bridge near Tangedco office at Thennur in January.
Corporation authorities had then said the centre would become functional soon and, subsequently, the civic body identified a Bengaluru-based private agency to run the centre and process them suitably. Recyclable waste were to be sent for recycling.
City residents could hand over electronic or e-waste such as old and discarded electrical and electronic appliances such as telephone, mobile phone, computer, laptop, television set, refrigerator, washing machine, air-conditioner and lamp at the centre.
Normally, e-waste items were disposed of by residents to scrap dealers who processed or recycled the items. Every household had such items. There was a need to streamline the collection and disposal of e-waste. The centre was established in compliance with e-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016, notified by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, which had already come into force, officials pointed out.
However, the centre was yet to become functional as TNPCB had reportedly raised certain issues relating to the location of the centre. When contacted, a senior Corporation official said efforts were on to get a no-objection certificate from TNPCB and the issue would be sorted out within a few days.
According to a recent press release issued by TNPCB, as per the rules notified by the Centre, e-waste meant electrical and electronic equipment (including computer, laptop, printer including cartridges, cell phone, TV set, refrigerator, washing machine, air conditioner, fluorescent and other mercury containing lamp) whole or in part discarded as waste by the consumer or bulk consumer as well as rejects from manufacturing, refurbishment and repair processes. The National Green Tribunal had issued directions for effective implementation of the rules and also directed that action be taken against violators of the law, TNPCB said.
