E-Waste Management Rules 2022
Unrestrained use of science and technology has resulted in a number of issues, including environmental degradation and eco-imbalances. This issue has become more dangerous as science and technology have advanced. E-wastes, often known as electronic waste, pose a serious threat to both the environment and humankind. Therefore, it becomes mandatory to manage e-waste professionally.
What is included in “e-waste”?
According to StEP, “E-Waste is a term used to cover items of all types of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and its parts that have been discarded by the owner as waste without the intention of re-use.” E-waste is the term that is used to describe electronic and electrical waste. The word “waste”; and what it logically implies – that the object has no further use and is rejected as unnecessary or excess to the owner in its existing condition.
Almost any household or commercial equipment with electronics or electrical components that have a power source or a battery supply is considered e-waste. Although the word "e-waste" is broad, it can be used to describe things like TV appliances, computers, laptops, tablets, mobile phones, white goods like refrigerators, washing machines, and dryers, home entertainment and stereo systems, toys, toasters, and kettles.
E-Waste Management Rules 2022
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has recently published the E-Waste (Management) Draft Rules which shall apply to every Manufacturer, Producer, Recycler, Refurbisher. The Ministry notified the E-Waste Management Rules, 2022 on 27 March 2022 in supersession of the e-waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2016.
- Consumer goods companies and makers of electronics goods have to ensure at least 60% of their electronic waste is collected and recycled by 2023 with targets to increase them to 70% and 80% in 2024 and 2025 respectively.
- The rules also lay out a system of companies securing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) certificates, that certify the quantity of e-waste collected and recycled in a particular year by a company and an organisation may sell surplus quantities to another company to help it meet its obligations (akin to carbon credits).
- Companies will have to register on an online portal and specify their annual production and e-waste collection targets.
- The chief entity that will coordinate the trade of EPR certificates and monitor if companies are meeting their targets is the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
- Companies that don’t meet their annual targets will have to pay a fine or an ‘environmental compensation’ but the draft doesn’t specify the quantum of these fines.
- Companies that fall short can meet a year’s target, even after three years. However, those that meet their targets with a year’s delay will be refunded 85% of their fine, after two years, 60% and 30% after the second and third year respectively.
- The EPR also requires producers to set up e-waste exchange facilities to facilitate collection and recycling, and assign specific responsibility to bulk consumers of electronic products for safe disposal.
India is unique among South Asian countries, in that it has a formal set of rules for e- waste management, first announced in 2016 and amended in 2018.
According to the Global E-Waste Monitor 2017, India generates about 2 million tonnes (MT) of e-waste annually and ranks fifth among e-waste producing countries, after the U.S., China, Japan and Germany. Most of India’s e-waste is recycled by the informal sector and under hazardous conditions.
Sorditcon Group provide you a formal sector which handles your e-waste professionally. We under the brand name E-Junki collects E-Waste from your home or business. We ensure that the waste collected is recycled safely and responsibly. We believe in making the Earth a better place for future generations, not just for ourselves.
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