Question : e-Waste

(a) whether the Government proposes to set up e-waste management plant in the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the quantum of e-waste generated in the country annually at present;
(c) whether the Government has made any assessment of the e-waste likely to be generated during the next ten years;
(d) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise including West Bengal; and
(e) whether the Government proposes to consult Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship for the management and disposal of e-waste and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a)The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is promoting R&D in developing technological solutions for recyclingof e-waste. A processing technology for e-waste recycling through physical separation and chemical leaching method has been developed at National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML), Jamshedpur. Further, technology for recovery of precious metals from printed circuit boards (PCBs) through component depopulation followed by pyrolysis and solvent extraction processhasalso been developed under R&D projects by the Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET). A demonstration plant has been set up at Bangalore under the project titled “Environmentally Sound Methods for Recovery of Metals from Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) – Phase II”, which is being implemented by the C-MET, Hyderabad and E-Parisara, Bengaluru. This plant has processed 51 MT of PCBs from 1700 MT of e-waste.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has reported that 312 dismantlers and recyclers have been authorization by 18 State/UT Pollution Control Boards/Committees for environmentally sound processing of e-waste with cumulative annual capacity of 7,82,080 MT.

(b) to (d): Based on the sale data provided by 1168 producers of electrical and electronic equipment in previous years under EPR (Extended Producers Responsibility) planof E-waste (Management) Rules, 2016,CPCB has estimatedthe generation of 7,71,215 tonnes of e-waste in FY 2018-19. The estimate is based on the average lives of equipment listed in Schedule I of the Rules. The Ministry has not made separate assessment of the e-waste likely to be generated during the next ten years.

(e): As per the provisions of E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016,theDepartment of Industry in State or any other government agency authorised by the State Government have been entrusted with the responsibility of earmarking or allocation of industrial space or shed for e-waste dismantling and recycling in industrial park, estate or industrial clusters. The State Government is also mandated to ensure recognition and registration of workers; undertake industrial skill development activities and establish measures for protection of health and safety of workers engaged in such facilities.
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