New e-waste rules threaten jobs, collection network

Context

A proposed framework by the Centre for regulating e-waste in India has upset a key link of India’s electronic waste collection system and threatens the livelihood of thousands.

What is Electronic Waste (E-Waste)?

• Electronic-Waste is the term used to describe old, end-of-life or discarded electronic appliances. 
• E-waste is categorised into 21 types under two broad categories: 
• Information technology and communication equipment.
• Consumer electrical and electronics. 
• Electronic waste (E-waste) is the fastest-growing stream of waste. 
• The CPCB said that in 2019-20, 1 million tons of e-waste was generated, 22% of which was “collected, dismantled, recycled”. 
• The Global e-Waste Monitor reports that nearly 3 million tons of electronic waste was generated in India, which is thrice the Centre’s estimates.
  
  

About E-waste Management Rules, 2016

• The Central Government, in the exercise of the powers provided under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, had notified e-waste management rules in 2016.
• These rules supersede the E-waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011.
• The rules aim to enable the recovery and/or reuse of useful material from e-waste, and to ensure the environmentally sound management of all types of waste of electrical and electronic equipment.
• For the first time, the rules brought the producers under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), along with targets.
• Producers have been made responsible for the collection of E-waste and for its exchange.
• The manufacturers, dealers, e-retailers, and refurbishers have been brought under the ambit of these rules to ensure that the e-waste is effectively channelized and disposed of.
• The urban local bodies have been assigned the responsibility of collecting back the e-waste arising from the orphan products and channelizing it to authorized dismantler or recycler.
• The EWM Rules 2016, have prescribed strict criteria for achieving effective collection, transportation, storage, channelization, and disposal of the e-waste in an environmentally sound manner.
  
  

Amendment to EWM Rules, 2016

• In 2018, the EWM Rules were further amended.
• The new E-Waste (Management) Amendment Rules, 2018 has the provision of introduction of Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) registration.
• PRO is defined as a professional organization which can take the responsibility for collection and channelization of e-waste to ensure environmentally sound management of such e-waste.
• PROs are now required to register with CPCB under the new Rules.
• PROs will also have to prove that all collections are legitimate and share proofs for such collections.
• Earlier, PROs were not able to procure waste from private and government institutions.
• The Rules address this lack of acknowledgement of legitimate PROs by asking them to register with CPCB.

Reasons behind High E-Waste Generation and Less Recycling

• Higher consumption rate of electronics:
• India is among the world’s largest consumers of mobile phones.
• Some 54-113 million mobile phones, weighing 10-20 tonnes, are lying in drawers and other storage spaces.
• Shorter product life cycles:
• It was found that the previous electronic gadgets were obsolete as the new upgrades and new models were launched in the market.
• Limited repair options:
• Many manufacturers don’t allow repair and reuse facilities.
• The Environmental Protection Agency of the USA estimates that more than 151 million phones a year- approximately 416,000 a day- are trashed and end up incinerated or landfilled.
• Hesitancy and Unawareness among Consumers:
• Most consumers are still unaware of how to dispose of their e-waste. 
• Most Indians end up selling their e-waste to the informal sector.