Downloaded 49 times
![Environment impacts and e- WASTE Management @ KERALA
EPGPKC01052 :AJAL JOSE AKKARA, IIM KOZHIKODE
Mail: ec2reach@gmail.com , mob : 0- 890 730 5642
ABSTRACT
E-Waste recycling facilities exist in
developed countries and stringent measures
have been taken by the governments regarding
disposal. Despite concerns on the issue s of
fraudulent traders and environmentally
unsound practices , It has been easier and
cheaper for developed countries to ship e-
Wastes to the developing countries where
access to and recycling of such discarded
electronic goods make a good economic
option. For both sides, it is profitable or a win –
win situation. The only difference being that
the rich country is dumping toxic waste on the
poorer country. Young Indians have to take
lead in creating e-Waste awareness. This will
be the need of the hour. This paper gives a
detailed view on the e- waste awareness
campaign taken place in Kerala.
INTRODUCTION
The Kerala State Pollution Control Board
(PCB) and the State IT Department is seriously
considering a proposal to set up an e-waste
management facility in the state. As part of the
first phase of the project, workshops on e-waste
management would be held in
Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, and
Kozhikode in January. The authorities are
considering a public-private partnership model.
Location of the project is yet to be decided.
Even though Kerala has made rapid strides in
the use of information Technology and
Communications, it has virtually no
arrangements within it for disposal of e-wastes.
There are only 16 Central Pollution Control
Board (CPCB)-registered dismantlers or
recyclers for the safe disposal of electronic
wastes in India. Of these five are in Karnataka,
three each Tamilnadu and Maharastra and one
each in Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan,
Uttar Pradesh and Uttarkand. Various e waste
management strategies are being discussed
below relating to Kerala Scenario.
E-Waste Collection Centres In Kerala Soon : [7 ]
The Pollution Control Board of Kerala will soon set
up e-waste collection centres in all districts.
Keralites can now get rid of the modern form of
extremely hazardous waste that is seriously
polluting the environment and has been piling up in
their surroundings. Co-operation and Pollution
Control Minister C N Balakrishnan announced in
the State Assembly on July 16, that as part of
introducing an effective disposal mechanism, the
Kerala State Pollution Control Board will soon set
up e-waste collection centres in all districts. The
minster also said that e-wastes collected from every
municipality and corporation would be moved to
dumping yards in other states, which have been
recognised by the Indian Government. This will be
the first step of the ‘effective disposal mechanism’.
The Pollution Control Board has already launched a
programme on e-waste, which aims at creating
awareness on e-waste among the public by issuing
pamphlets and using other publicity methods.
“Everything from TV screens to batteries would
come under e-waste. If we look around, we find e-
wastes dumped along with the rest of the everyday
waste. According to a United Nations study, around
50 million tons of e-waste are produced globally
every year. The number might have increased
now. It is a crucial issue that has been neglected in
our country. Most people are not aware about it,”](/proxy?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimage.slidesharecdn.com%2Fewastekerala-140811064429-phpapp01%2F85%2FEnvironment-impacts-and-e-WASTE-Management-KERALA-1-320.jpg)
![explained Dr. Santhosh from the National Rural
Health Mission, Trivandrum.
Electronic waste, or e-waste includes any electronic
device that is no longer useful, such as old
computers or mobile phones. Many electronic
products contain hazardous elements, such as
mercury and lead. When they are not properly
disposed of as hazardous waste and end up in
regular garbage dumps, they not only leak into the
surrounding environment, but will ultimately be
consumed by communities, causing diseases such
as cancer.
Responsibility of the government on E-
Waste Management :
The responsibility of the government on E-
Waste management is quiet crucial in the E-
waste management and some of the tips that
can be suggested on the part of government
include-
1. Setting up regulatory agencies in each
state or county that are capable of
consolidating and coordinating with the
regulatory functions of the various
government and federal authorities
pertaining to electronic waste.
2. If necessary, the government should
make stringent laws on the proper
disposal and management and
electronic waste by both private and
public institutions. The existing laws if
any on electronic waste must be
revamped and reviewed periodically.
3. Public awareness programs should be
conducted at regular intervals in order
create a positive attitude among the
public on E-Waste management.
4. The governments have also
responsibility to encourage Research
and Development activities related with
E-Waste Management and release funds
if necessary for conducting R & D
activities by private and public research
institutions.
5. Heavy fines should be imposed on
those industries or individuals who does
not follow the E-Waste management
principles or dump the E-waste causing
environmental hazards.
6. Governments must in the forefront to
have a tie up with manufacturers,
retailers, industries in exploring the
opportunities in providing recycling
services.
Tips for proper disposal of E-waste by
industries: [ 5 ]
The role of industries in proper disposal of E-
Waste is quite crucial as majority of E-waste
generated comes from industries who may be
either the generators or users of electronic
waste. Some of the steps that can be taken by
these industries for proper disposal of E waste
are:
Industries that generate E-waste must
take responsibility of determining the
source of this electronic waste and if
the E-waste is dangerous must take
proper E-waste management policies.
All the personnel involved in the E-
waste in industries must be properly
trained and duly qualified.
The companies have the necessary
freedom to adopt their own E-waste
management policies that may include-
1. Standardizing the components
that can be easily dissembled,
2. Creating industrial products
from bio-degradable materials,
3. Manufacturers of electronic
products have the responsibility
for educating consumers and the
public about the possibility of
threats from using their products
and giving them instructions on
how to avoid them and the](/proxy?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimage.slidesharecdn.com%2Fewastekerala-140811064429-phpapp01%2F85%2FEnvironment-impacts-and-e-WASTE-Management-KERALA-2-320.jpg)
![proper disposal of E-waste on
event of the end of their life
cycle.
Tips for citizens about the disposal of E-
Waste :
Citizens are the end users of any product or
service manufactured by industries and
therefore some of the tips that a citizen must
follow for safe and proper disposal of E-waste
include-
1. When buying any electronic product
opt for those products that have fewer toxic
parts in them.
2. The products after their life cycle must
be disposed of properly and comes
under the preview of proper
disposal of E-waste.
3. They must buy only those products that
are energy efficient.
4. Attending awareness programs on E-
Waste management being conducted by any
institutions either government or private.
KERALA SCENARIO : 1
There was one of the eye openers at a session(
Saturday, 09 June 2012 ) on e-Waste
Management hosted by the Trivandrum
Chapter of Young Indians (YI), the CII's youth
wing, to coincide with the World Environment
Day celebrations. The session was lead by
Subash Warrier, Country Manager, Sims
Recycling Solutions India, one of the largest
electronic waste recycling company operating
37 dedicated sites in 13 countries. During the
session, Subash explained the process of e-
waste management while stressing the need for
ethical practices by recycling companies. A
reality check, done both on consumer and
business side in India, identified how lack of
infrastructure, socio-economic issues and
unrealistic commercial expectations are the
problems in managing e-waste. There is a huge
gap in the total e-waste produced and the
recycling capacities in the country. He added
that awareness is required to be built in the
society as well as among companies to promote
responsible e-waste management. Kishore
George, Chair, Yi Trivandrum said, “e-Waste
is something that will affect the youths and the
next generation. As young Indians, we thought
this was the right occasion to conduct a session
on e-Waste Management. There is a lack of
awareness about e-waste and how to handle it
among many of us, irrespective of our industry
where we work [ 6 ]
KERALA SCENARIO : 2
The Technopark campus is an ISO 14000
certified facility. Considering the importance of
proper management of e-waste. Technopark
has appointed a Govt.authorized agency M/s.
Global e-waste Management and Services ,
Chennai to collect e- Waste from the
companies in the campus as a facilitator. They
visit the campus once in every three months to
collect e-Waste .
"Earth Sense Recycle Pvt Ltd" is
giving services in Kerala and other six states in
India and is having Kerala State Pollution
Control Board Certificate for E-waste
recycling. For the last 2 years, giving services
to many customers in Kerala including Techno
park.
KERALA SCENARIO : 3
We have organized a national conference E-
MART 2011 on this subject as an awareness
program and made an e- waste monster to be
exhibited in various schools and in public
which made people to imbibe knowledge about
e-waste issues.](/proxy?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimage.slidesharecdn.com%2Fewastekerala-140811064429-phpapp01%2F85%2FEnvironment-impacts-and-e-WASTE-Management-KERALA-3-320.jpg)
Skip to main content
Uploaded byAJAL A J
Environment impacts and e- WASTE Management @ KERALA
The document discusses the e-waste management challenges in Kerala, highlighting the need for awareness and proper disposal practices amidst increasing e-waste generation. It details proposals for setting up e-waste collection centers and public-private partnerships to facilitate recycling, while emphasizing the hazardous nature of e-waste and its environmental impact. The document also outlines the responsibilities of the government, industries, and citizens in managing e-waste effectively.
