Finding an E-Waste Solution

In a move to encourage recycling of electronic waste, department of information technology (DoIT) has proposed that substantial capital subsidies be given to authorized e-waste recycling units.

As part of its suggestions for the Eleventh Plan, DoIT has proposed subsidy of up to 50% on the capital costs of the recycling units which could be funded by DoIT. There is no such centralized fiscal provision for e-waste recyclers in the country as of now. The e-waste generated by India is expected to cross 1.5 million tones by 2012, according to industrial sources. This is 10-11 times the volume of e-waste generated in 2005.

It has also been suggested by the ministry the e-waste generated by STPI and SEZ units be given duty exemption for debonded for the purpose because of duty payment. – The Economic Times, Jan 08, 2007.

We believe that manufacturers of electronic goods, who have benefited from sales of their products, should take responsibility for them from production through to the end of their lives. To prevent an e-waste crisis, manufacturers must design clean electronics with longer lifespan, that are safe and easy to recycle and will not expose workers and the environment to hazardous chemicals.

Clean up: Electronics manufacturers must stop using hazardous materials. In many cases, safer alternatives currently exist.

Take back: The taxpayer should not bear the cost of recycling old electrical goods. Manufacturers should take full life cycle responsibility for their products and, once they reach the end of their useful life, take their goods back for re-use, safe recycling or disposal.


What you can do:

- Support companies that make clean products.

- Before buying, think twice about whether you really need a new device.

- Return your equipment to the manufacturer when you have finished with it.

Visit erecycle and ewasteguide to see what else you can do to help e-waste management.