Why E West is in discussion today?
Due to the rapidly growing urbanization, digitization and population growth, e-waste is increasing rapidly around the world. In view of the growing problem of e-waste management and the ever-increasing challenges of dealing with it, in November 2022, the Ministry of Environment and Forests notified a new set of e-waste rules, which has come into effect from 1st April 2023. And the discussion is also because the environment And the rules which have been notified by the Forest Ministry from 1st April 2023, those rules address some issues and remain silent on some issues.
What is E-Waste?
E-waste means such electrical and electronic goods which are thrown away when they get damaged or do not function properly. E-waste is short for electronic waste and is a term used to describe old or discarded electronic devices. It includes many components, consumables and parts.
Major components of e-waste regulations in India
(EPR-Extended Producer Responsibility)
The first set of e-waste rules were notified in 2011 and came into force in 2012. The rules that were notified in 2011mentioned Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Under this, after the consumer discards any electric or electronic product, the manufacturer will be responsible for its safe disposal.
Authorization and Product Stewardship
The E-Waste Rules 2016, which provided for authorization and promotion of product management, were amended in 2018 to include other categories of stakeholders, such as Producer Responsibility Organizations.
E-waste Management Rules 2022
The Ministry of Forest and Environment had notified the rules related to e-waste in November 2022 itself, which will now be implemented from April 1, 2023. To spread awareness about the notified rules, the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment has proposed to conduct an awareness campaign in all states and union territories from 1 January 2023 to 31 March 2023. During this campaign, information related to electronic and electrical products will be given to the industries present in all the states and union territories.
Background of E-Waste Management Rules 2022
The Union Ministry of Forest and Environment has notified the E-Waste Management Rules 2022 under the Environment Protection Act 1986, which will come into force from April 1, 2023. Under the Waste Management Rules 2022, the Central Government has increased the number of items falling in the e-waste category from 21 to 106.
Challenges related to e-waste management in India low participation of people
Very few people show interest in making used electronic devices available for recycling, that is, if any electronic item gets damaged, it is just thrown here and there. A big reason behind doing this is that there are many such products available in the market, which once get spoiled, they cannot be made again. What I mean to say is that when you reach the market in case the product is damaged, you are told by the concerned shopkeeper that this product cannot be repaired.Due to this, e-waste is increasing further. Keeping this in view, in recent years, efforts are being made to pass Right to Repair laws in many countries around the world. If e-waste has to be managed properly, it will be possible only with public participation.
Health Hazards
E-waste contains more than 1,000 poisonous substances, which contaminate the soil and ground water and affect all living beings.
Lack of incentive schemes
There are no clear guidelines for disposal of e-waste for the unorganized sector. Also, till date no scheme has been brought by the government to encourage people to adopt formal route for disposal of e-waste.
Buy only as much as you need
Some people buy many different types of items just for the sake of hobby, although they are unable to use them and throw them in the garbage one day or while purchasing the items, they do not keep in mind that the item they are purchasing is However, the manufacturer cannot recycle or reuse it. This further increases e-waste, so to contribute to waste disposal and management, when purchasing any item, check whether the manufacturer can recycle it or not. Also keep in mind that buy such items which will last for a long period.
Donate e-waste
Many times it happens that we have many such things, which after being used or becoming old, we leave them at home and buy new ones. Whenever any electronic item is kept unused for a long time, it gets spoiled and then it is thrown in the garbage. Like- mobile, laptop, toys… etc. So in this type of situation, we should give such things to such people who can use them and also need them. In such a situation, there will be no e-waste and the item will also be used.
Sell unused products
If we have any such item in our house or house which is of no use to us or is damaged, then it would be better to sell it rather than throwing it here and there. By doing this, that time can be managed properly, which will play an excellent role in the disposal and management of e-waste.
Awareness of recycling possibilities
To make people aware that while purchasing any item, we must check whether the item we are purchasing can be recycled or not. Any item that can be recycled does not create waste, meaning it can be reused. Apart from this, buy a product which will last for a long time. By doing this, we do not have to buy anything again and again and because of this, old things do not accumulate with us, which are called garbage.
E-waste related questions
Question: When did the new rules of e-waste management come into force?
Answer: 1 April 2023
Question: When was the new rule for e-waste management, which came into effect on April 1, 2023, notified?
Answer: November 2022
Question: The number of items falling in e-waste category has been increased from 21 to how many?
Answer: 106
Question: Which electronic item is not included in the E-Waste Management Rules 2022?
Answer: Waste batteries
Question: Where has India's first e-waste clinic been set up to segregate, process and dispose waste from domestic and commercial units?
Answer: Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh
E-waste management refers to the process of properly disposing of electronic waste, which includes any electronic device or component that has reached the end of its useful life. Some strategies E-waste management of are as follows:
Reduce: The first step in e-waste management is to reduce the amount of electronic waste generated.
Reuse: Reusing electronic devices and components is another way to reduce the amount of e-waste.
Recycle: Recycling is the most common and effective method of managing e-waste. It involves extracting useful materials such as metals, glass, and plastics, which can be used to manufacture new products.
Disposal: If electronic devices cannot be reused or recycled, they should be disposed of properly.
In short, e-waste management is crucial for protecting the environment and human health. Byreducing, reusing, recycling, and properly disposing of electronic devices, we can minimize the negative impact of e-waste and create a sustainable future.
From 2023 onwards, Producers must comply with the E-Waste recovery targets set up by the E-Waste (Management) rules and the average lifetime of products is used to calculate these targets. Below is the recycling rate given which the producers are required to reach:
Year (Y)
| E-Waste Recycling rate
|
2023 | 60% |
2024 | 60% |
2025 | 70% |
2026 | 70% |
2027 | 80% |
2028 onwards | 80% |
The average life for 85 categories of EEE items is proposed. A few examples are given below and the complete list can be found here: link: https://cpcb.nic.in
Categories | item | EEE code | Average life in years (X) |
Information technology and telecommunication equipment | Tablets, I-PAD
| ITEW19 | 5 |
Consumers Electrical and Electronics and Photovoltaic panels | Radio Sets
| CEEW7 | 8 |
Large and small Electrical and Electronic equipment | Large cooling appliances | LSEEW1 | 10 |
E-Waste recycling target is calculated as per the rules by multiplying sales volume of EEE item in year (Y) and E-waste recycling rate. Example: Recycling target for the above EEE item “scanners” in 2023 can be calculated as follows:
What are the provisions regarding e-waste in India?
There is a formal set of rules for electronic waste management in India, these rules were first announced in the year 2016 and amended in the year 2018. Recently the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued a draft notification for electronic waste management. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified the E-Waste Management Rules, 2016 in supersession of the E-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011.
More than 21 products (Schedule-I) were included in the scope of the rule. This includes compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) and other mercury-containing lamps, as well as other such devices. For the first time the rules brought producers under extended producer responsibility (EPR) with the aim of Producers are made responsible for the collection and disposal of e-waste. Different producers may have a different Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) and ensure the collection of e-waste. Besides, it can also be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.
Deposit Refund Scheme has been introduced as an additional economic instrument in which the manufacturer takes an additional amount as deposit at the time of sale of electrical and electronic components and returns it to the consumer with interest when Ultimately the electrical and electronic equipment is returned. The role of state governments has also been introduced to ensure the safety, health and skill development of workers involved in dismantling and recycling operations. Provision for penalty for violation of rules has also been made. Urban local bodies (Municipal Committee/Council/Corporation) have been entrusted with the task of collecting waste products lying on the streets or in dustbins and channelizing them to authorized dismantlers or recyclers. For disposal and recycling of e-waste Allotment of appropriate space to existing and upcoming industrial units.
Awareness of recycling possibilities
There is a need to be aware of the rules and regulations regarding e-waste management that the government is working on. Since e-waste is not hazardous if it is kept in safe storage or recycled by scientific methods or transported from one place to another in small parts or in aggregate in the formal sector. However e- Waste can be considered hazardous if it is recycled by primitive methods.
E-Waste
Rules For Better
Environment
www.lawtool.net
Comments