The Ministry of Environment and Forests is implementing a scheme to provide financial assistance for setting up of treatment, disposal and storage facility for hazardous and integrated recycling facilities for E-waste on public private partnership mode. Based on a survey carried out by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), it is estimated that 1.47 lakh MT of e-waste was generated in the country in the year 2005. This is expected to increase to about 8.0 lakh MT by 2012. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi, Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab are among top 10 states generating about 70% of total e-waste.
There are about 75 authorized and registered E-waste recyclers with recycling capacity of about 2.46 lakh MTA of E-waste. MoEF has notified the E-Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011, for proper management and handling of E-waste. These Rules have come in to force from May 1, 2012. As per rules, ‘E-waste’ means waste electrical and electronic equipment, whole or in part or rejects from their manufacturing and repair process, which are intended to be discarded. The concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) has been enshrined in these rules. As per rules, producers are required to collect E-waste generated from the end of life of their products by setting up collections centers or take back systems either individually or collectively.
