Workshop on E-Waste Management - Challenges, Prospects and strategies

Ludhiana, May 19, 2015: PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in association with Ministry of Environment Forest and climate change organised a Workshop on E-Waste Management - Challenges, Prospects and Strategies on Tuesday.

Mr. S.P Garg, Senior Environment Engineer, PPCB, briefed the participants about the rules applicable to the producers of electrical and electronic equipments, the consumers, collection centres, dismantlers and recyclers handling e-waste.  He said that there is an urgent need for a detailed assessment of the current and future scenario including quantification, existing disposal practices, environmental impacts etc. E-waste collection, transportation, treatment, storage, recovery and disposal, need to be established, at national and/or regional levels for the environmentally sound management of e-wastes. He mentioned that e-waste collection, exchange and recycling centres should be encouraged in partnership with private entrepreneurs and manufacturers. He further said that in Ludhiana there are three authorised E-Waste Collection centre

Dr. Lakshmi Raghupathy, Former Director, Ministry of Environment & Forest said that an important aspect in the process of compliance of any rules is the creation of awareness among the stakeholders on the various aspects of the products, including the requirements for the environmentally sound management of the product at the end of life. She mentioned awareness is also essential regarding the hazardous constituents present in the equipments as well as the safe handling and disposal of the product after its use.

She said the producers should provide information on safe handling of the product to ensure its safe delivery and installation for use. In the same manner the producers should also provide information for safe handling of the end-of-life product.

Mr. Gurmeet Singh Kular, Zonal Head & Chairman PHD Chamber Ludhiana said that In India most of waste electronics items are stored at households as people do not know how to discard them and that is a reason more of awareness programmes should be held for more sustainable further . He further highlighted that proper E-waste management is very important and he shared global E-Waste practices of other countries also.

Dr. N.J Singh Co-Chairman, Environment Committee, PHD Chamber in his welcome remarks said that improve dismantling and processing of E-waste render it perilous to human health and our Eco-System. He emphasised on the role of all stack holder in E-waste management to come together ensuring safe disposal of E-Waste for sustainable development.

Ms. Kanchan Zutshi, Secretary, PHD Chamber of environment committee moderated the workshop and proposed vote of thanks on the occasion and emphasised on efficient of natural resource, minimisation of waste, development of clean products and environmentally sustainable recycling and disposal of waste are some of the issues which need to be address by all concerned by ensuring economic and enhancing the quality of life.

The training program was aimed to highlight the global and national concerns, associated with strategies to address this problem and provide an overview of Proper Management of E - Waste, as per the best practices; as well as insight regulatory requirements.  This training programme presented a waste management system with shared responsibility for the collection and recycling of electronic wastes amongst the manufacturers / assemblers, importers, recyclers, regulatory bodies and the consumers.