Noting that Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the country are on the verge of becoming "dumping sites for e-waste", a government panel has stressed on the need to bring them under the legal ambit to tackle the challenge.
"Amendments should be made in the Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules to bring
SEZ areas under its ambit so as to prevent dumping of e-wastes in such regions," the committee constituted by the Environment Ministry said in its report on how to manage various types of waste in the country.
Rapid increase in electrical and electronic product consumption is leading to higher generation of e-waste in the country. A survey has estimated the wastes to be around 8,00,000 tonnes by 2012 from 1,46,000 tonnes in 2005, it said.
The panel also cited imports as a major source of e-waste in the country. "This adds to the huge volume of waste being dumped and processed within the country. The accurate data on such imports is not available largely owing to the nature of the trade.
"However, estimates suggest that imports account for an almost equal amount to what is being generated in the country," it said while advocating the need for strengthening the legislative frame work.
"This could be done by introducing specific rules or law governing the reuse and recycle as well as final disposal of e-waste. Lack of stringent regulations and awareness makes dumping a preferred destination for e-waste," it noted.
Source : India Today