New Delhi: India is likely to generate 5.2 million tonnes of e-waste per year by 2020, up from 2 million tonnes in 2016, according to a recent ASSOCHAM-Ernst and Young (EY) joint study. Among the main factors leading to rapid growth of e-waste are digital transformation, social and economic growth, rapid technology advances and dumping of trash by developed countries. India is among the top five e-waste generating countries besides China, the United States, Japan, and Germany.
Among states, Maharashtra ranks on top with 19.8 per cent of e-waste generated in the country. Tamil Nadu’s share is 13 per cent, Uttar Pradesh 10.1 per cent, West Bengal 9.8 per cent, Delhi 9.5 per cent, Karnataka 8.9 per cent, Gujarat 8.8 per cent and Madhya Pradesh 7.6 per cent.
Also Read: 50 Per Cent Indians May Be Hoarding E-Waste For Up To Five Years, Reveals A Survey
According to the report, 44.7 million tonnes of e-waste was generated worldwide in 2016 which is expected to grow at a rate of 3.15 per cent (CAGR). By 2021, e-waste will rise to 52.2 million tonnes per year.
Electronic waste refers to all items of electrical and electronic equipment which includes general consumer electronics like televisions, computers, laptops, tablets, mobile phones, white goods and industrial grade electronics, such as telecommunication systems, instrumentation systems and electronic machinery.
Also Read: 50 Million Tonnes Of E-Waste Discarded Each Year: United Nations Report
E-waste is hazardous as it contains deadly chemicals and metals like lead, cadmium, chromium, mercury, polyvinyl chlorides, brominated flame retardants, beryllium, antimony and phthalates. A long-term exposure to these substances can damage human nervous system, kidneys, bones, reproductive and endocrine systems.
A large share of e-waste (more than 95 per cent) gets channelised to the unorganised sector where small shops adopt rudimentary methods to recover base materials. Lack of consumer awareness is another reason for e-waste getting into the wrong hands.
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NDTV – Dettol Banega Swachh India campaign lends support to the Government of India’s Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM). Helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan, the campaign aims to spread awareness about hygiene and sanitation, the importance of building toilets and making India open defecation free (ODF) by October 2019, a target set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, when he launched Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in 2014. Over the years, the campaign has widened its scope to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and menstrual hygiene. The campaign has also focused extensively on marine pollution, clean Ganga Project and rejuvenation of Yamuna, two of India’s major river bodies.
