Need for Guidelines for “Environmentally Sound Management of E-Waste”

Based on the outcomes of these studies and way forward of national workshop on electronic waste management held in March 2004 and June 2005 organized by CPCB and Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), a need to carry out this study has been identified due to following reasons.

a) Toxic components:

b) Increasing amount of E- Waste:

Product obsolescence is becoming more rapid since the speed of innovation and the dynamism of product manufacturing / marketing has resulted in a short life span (less than two years) for many computer products. Short product life span coupled with exponential increase at an average will result in doubling of the volume of E-waste over the next five to six years.

c) Lack of environmentally sound recycling infrastructure:

Existing environmentally sound recycling infrastructure in place is not equipped to handle the increasing amounts of E-waste. The major dismantling operations are occurring in unorganized/ informal sector in hazardous manner. The potential of increased E-waste generation and lack of adequate recycling facilities have attracted the attention of a number of recyclers globally, expressing interest to start recycling facility in India.