Electronic Waste | Centre for Science and Environment

Electronic Waste


 New Delhi, May 18 2010

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Front Page Teaser: 

May 18, 2010
Warns new draft regulations might be ineffective in controlling illegal trade in e-waste.

A different waste model


General Discussion on e-waste

Have an old computer which you want to dispose of? Discuss how to dispose of e-waste safely.

How to dispose e-waste

Computers: Obsolete computers account for a majority of the overall e-waste currently found in landfills

There are some relatively safe options to dispose of old computers:

Option 1:  If your computers are in working condition, you can donate them to a school or an organization working in the field of education.

How not to dispose e-waste

E-waste should never be sold as trash to rag-pickers as it may end up with unorganised recyclers who basically burn main parts to extract precious metals. This causes release of extremely toxic substances called dioxins and furans.

E-waste should also not be dumped in a landfill. Even in small doses, these materials can contaminate soil as well as drinking water. Landfills are also prone to uncontrolled fires which can release toxic fumes.

Guidelines for disposal of e-waste

In India, there are no specific environmental laws or guidelines for e-waste disposal and it is governed only by the “The Hazardous Waste Management Rules, 2003”.

There is no large scale organized e-waste recycling facility in India and most of the e-waste recycling units are operating in un-organized sector.

Why is it dangerous?

E-wastes contain certain toxic constituents in their components such as lead, cadmium, mercury, polychlorinated bi-phenyls (PCBs), etched chemicals, brominated flame retardants etc., which if not handled safely are toxic and potentially hazardous to environment and human health.

What is e-waste?

Product obsolescence whether inbuilt or otherwise is becoming more rapid since the speed of innovation and the dynamism of product manufacturing has resulted in a short life span for most electronic products.

The problem of e-waste arises when these used electronic devices and house hold appliances such as computers, hand held cellular phones, personal stereos and large household appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners etc reach their end of life.

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