E-Waste generated to touch 1,50,000 metric tonnes/year by 2020, says MAIT

Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAIT) has organized an informational event on E-Waste Rules for Bulk Consumers in partnership with the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Central Pollution Control Board and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB)  in Mumbai.

The speakers at the event highlighted that from the total e waste generated in the country, 20% was from Maharashtra, of which 50 % came from Mumbai Metropolitan City. This was close to 11,000 metric tonnes, which is an underplayed figure.

Anwar Shirpurwala, Executive Director, MAIT, said, We are concerned about the amount of e waste present and its estimation in the coming years. As India is not prepared to manage such a large problem, hence we need to streamline the degradation process of e waste. Consumers need to be aware and responsible about this situation and only by drifting towards organised recycling we can try to curb the harzardious effects of e waste.

Virendra Singh, Director (IT), Government of Maharashtra said, The computer peripherals account for close to 60-70 % of hazardous waste generated by the industry including mercury, lead etc that have long standing health effects on human body. It is conferences like MAIT that will help educated the industry the stake holders & public at large. We need to concentrate on methods of disposal of waste that at present seem insufficient to tackle the huge amounts of waste generated.

It should be noted that in 2010, it was initiated that MPCB would be handling the regulatory aspects; while MMRDA would provide infrastructural support.