Indian Government Set to Introduce Rules for Handling Electronic Scrap

India’s Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh announced that the Indian government is set to release a set of rules for disposal of electronic scrap by May 15. The decision to introduce the rules is in response to the growing problems that electronic scrap has in the country.

Ramesh notes that at the present time, between 85-90 percent of the electronic scrap disposal is done in the unorganized sector, where environmental controls lack.

“I myself have seen in Dharavi [Asia's largest slum in Mumbai] a flourishing recycling industry which no government has the courage to control as it will lead to an enormous loss of jobs,” Ramesh said during a press conference.

He said illegal recycling of used electronic goods such as mobile phone and computer posed environmental and health hazards. “I am personally against the import of second-hand computers in the name of charity as this e-waste posed danger to environment and human health.”' Computers, mobile phones and other electronic gadgets become e-waste at the end of their life cycle, he said.

The Centre and the Indian governments says it would provide 50 percent of the funds for setting up facilities for the proper treatment, storage and disposal of e-wastes.

To read the proposed new regulations, click here