e-waste management a worry

Lack of dismantling and recycling mechanism in State

Kerala is faced with the possibility of a crisis posed by accumulation of e-wastes. Lack of authorised dismantling and recycling units adds to the problem. As the State government is yet to initiate steps in this regard, scrap dealers are constrained to transport large quantities of electronic wastes to other States.

The glaring inadequacy in e-waste management came to the fore during a sensitisation and training programme organised by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology during the last few days here. Implemented by the Manufacturers Association of Information and Technology (MAIT), the training was conducted by the NGO, Chintan environmental research and action group.

Manju Minhas, senior project manager, Chintan, said there were no recycling, dismantling or refurbishment units for e-wastes in Kerala, though many other States had such facilities. “Despite doing quite well in solid waste management, the State lagged behind others as far as e-waste management is concerned. There also was a lack of awareness regarding E-Waste Management Rules, 2016, among many stakeholders,” she said.

There are 17 authorised e-waste dismantling units and five recyclers in Tamil Nadu and 84 licensed dismantlers and recycling units in Karnataka.

Lack of guidelines

Kerala Scrap Merchants’ Association State president K.S. Mohammed Faisal Labba pointed out that while the organisation had expressed willingness to establish dismantling units in each districts, the failure of the agencies concerned to provide guidelines had hindered such efforts. “As a result, around 95% of the e-wastes generated were either abandoned carelessly or handed over to agents from other States. Only a very few dispose of the wastes at the 10 authorised collection centres that have been established in Kerala,” he said.

Kerala State Pollution Control Board senior environmental engineer A.M. Sheela, who coordinated the programme, said dismantling and recycling units must be established in industrial parks as per norms. Concerted and joint efforts were required by Industries and Labour departments and various agencies for the endeavour.