(a) whether e-waste is increasing in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor alongwith the quantity of e-waste
generated annually in the country;
(c) the adverse impact on the environment of the country as a result thereof;
(d) whether the Government proposes to impose any liability on the electronic industry
to manage the e-waste;
(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(f) the steps taken by the Government for safe disposal of e-waste?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) to (f) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 191
FOR ANSWER ON WEDNESDAY, the 10th MARCH, 2010 REGARDING “E-waste†RAISED BY SHRI MADAN LAL
SHARMA AND SHRI SURESH ANGADI.
(a) & (b): Based on a survey carried out by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB),
it is estimated that 1,46,800 tonnes of e-waste was generated in the country in the year 2005,
which is expected to increase to 8,00,000 by 2012.
(c) to (f): The Ministry of Environment and Forests has notified the Hazardous Wastes
(Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008 for proper management and
handling of hazardous wastes which include e-waste. As per the Rules, units handling
e-waste need to register with CPCB. The waste generated is required to be sent or sold to
a registered or authorized recycler or re-processor or re-user having environmentally sound
facilities for recovery of metals, plastics, etc.
The Guidelines for Environmentally Sound Management of e-waste published by CPCB in 2008,
provide the approach and methodology for environmentally sound management of e-waste, which
include details such as e-waste composition and recycle potential of items of economic value,
identification of possible hazardous contents in e-waste, the recycle, re-use and recovery
options, treatment and disposal options and the environmentally sound e-waste treatment
technologies.The Guidelines emphasize the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility.