Ban Galore Study of Ere Cycling

8/7/2019 Ban Galore Study of Ere Cycling

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Understanding E-Waste Generation, Collection & Recycling

In Bangalore

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UNDERSTANDING

E-WASTE

GENERATION,

COLLECTION &

RECYCLING IN

BANGALORE

A Saahas study in association with HAWA and GTZ

Bangalore, 2005


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Summary

WEEE (Waste from Electronic and Electrical Equipment) comprises a

range of products and components where recycling and final disposal isknown to adversely affect public health and the environment.

However within this spectrum, the adverse impacts related to computer

waste, including peripherals is expected to escalate rapidly in the next fewyears. Thus this waste stream has been selected as a starting point toaddress issues related to e-Waste recycling and disposal.

Currently the Software Technology Park of India has registered 1,322

software companies in Karnataka as Export Oriented Units (EOU). Inaddition as per reports from MAIT, (Manufacturers Association for

Information Technology) there are 36 hardware manufacturing units.Collectively these companies employ a workforce of around 1, 00,000

professionals.

In addition there is a thriving BPO (Business Processes Outsourcing)segment which employs an additional 60,000 professionals.

These three segments are responsible for the largest contribution of e-waste

in the city.

In a preliminary study entitled e-Waste, Bangalore wakes up to a newthreatwe explained how under the EXIM (Export Import) Policy 2000 of

the Government of India, all companies registered as Export Oriented Unitsare exempted from a basic customs duty which would be around 15-20%

depending on the goods imported. In Bangalore most of the software andhardware units avail this concession. Under this regulation however unless

the duty is paid the computers remain under a customs bond which impliesthat they cannot be sold.

The two options to release this equipment from the bond include donation

to charitable institutions or physical destruction of the goods

Companies insist that they donate their equipment to schools and charitableinstitutions. However given the large volume of equipment involved it is

difficult to comprehend how suitable institutions could be identified.Moreover this equipment also has a limited life and therefore ultimately

ends up in the e-waste stream.


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Besides it is now confirmed that companies also use the option to

physically destroy obsolete equipment.

During 2003-2004, IT equipment valued at Rs 15.6 crores were physicallydestroyed in this manner. In all around 21 leading IT companies chose this

option for disposal of their e-waste. After destruction, this waste which lastyear is estimated to yield around 120 tonnes is sold to scrap dealers.

Based on these figures we now estimate that the total annual e-scrap

generated by IT companies in Bangalore/Karnataka is around 6,790 tonnes.Each company contributes around 5 tonnes of e-scrap every year which is

the equivalent of 150-200 computers.

The other sources of e-waste are rejects from the manufacturing sector.Apart from the 36 registered units there are a host of other small time

manufactures involved in the manufacture of a variety of IT equipment. Sofar not much is known about the scrap generated on account of their

activities.

A limited amount of waste would also be generated from the householdsector. Currently it is estimated that 35 % of upper middle class households

across Bangalore possess a computer.

However this sector is known to retain its computers for several years.Thus this sector produces only a very small percentage of computers

related scrap.

The flow of scrap is now well established. Our previous report entitled e-Waste, Bangalore wakes up to a new threat, gives a brief overview of the

flow of this waste with the role of the different actors involved.

Many large organisations have direct links with the scrap dealers andrecyclers and sale of computer scrap is done directly.

Some other companies especially the public sector and the customs

department (unclaimed goods including electronic goods) use the auction

as a medium of sale. Custom bonded computers which have beenphysically destroyed also enter the scrap market through this route

These auctions are not conducted by the company itself; instead the job isoutsourced to specialized organizations.


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There are two large auctioneers in Bangalore which deal with waste

generated from this sector they are Matexnet and Metal Scrap TradingCorporation of India (MSTC).

Large companies conduct these auctions around 4-5 times every year. Most

often the scrap is a mix of different products. Sources from some of thesecompanies as well as the scrap dealers attending these auctions reveal that

total annual sale of e-scrap comprising PCB boards, wires, and electricalequipment from a single large company amounts to around Rs 1 crore.

Recycling in Bangalore involves meticulous segregation of the waste into

different categories. Larger components are then broken and furthersegregated.

Materials retrieved include plastic, wires, Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT), and

Printer Circuit Boards (PCB).

In Bangalore the main recycling activities include extraction of preciousmetal from gold and silver coated connectors in the PCB and the keyboard,

the recovery and recycling of plastic and the retrieval of copper fromvarious components including PVC wires.

Regunning of CRT tubes is also taking place in the city as also burning of

PCB Boards for recovery of copper but both these activities are carried outto a very limited extent. In Bangalore there is only one unit involved in the

burning of PCB boards.

In contrast our study shows that there are as many as 20 units involved inthe extraction of gold and silver from PCBs.

Depending on the concentration of gold in the raw material there are two

methods used for extraction, first method is by using mercury and thesecond method is by using cyanide.

We estimate that 80 kgs of gold is retrieved from e-scrap every year. The

annual turnover from the gold extraction alone in Bangalore will be around

Rs 4.8 crores.

Most of this gold is retrieved from the PCBs of computers where each

computer is said to have 0.3 gms of gold.

Based on these values it is also possible to estimate that this gold wasretrieved from around 8,000 tonnes of computer scrap.


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Gold extraction is undoubtedly a lucrative business. However, serious

questions need to be raised about the impact on health and environment onaccount of the processes used for extraction of metal.

There is extensive use of nitric acid, cyanide and mercury. After use these

chemicals are casually disposed in open drains or the ground adjoining theunits. The long term effect is bound to have severe repercussions on the

health of the population living in the surroundings as well as the peopleworking in the units.

Discussions with the proprietors and workers in the unit show that there is

an underlying awareness about the health and environment implications.However these concerns are ignored.

Nevertheless over the last two years, a greater awareness within the larger

public domain has set in. The IT industry and other industrial sectors arenow under greater pressure to exercise caution in disposing e-waste.

In the absence of an authorized recycler, The KSPCB has already directed

companies to only store their waste and not dispose the same to the scraptrade.

Companies on their part however maintain that it is difficult to comply with

such a directive as the quantities of waste generated are considerable andspace constraints do not allow them to store waste.

In September 2004, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board had

addressed a letter to individual IT companies requesting them to givedetails of the quantity of waste generated and the manner of disposal.

This exercise explained KSPCB would help document the quantity of

computer waste generated by these companies and understand the disposalmethods used. The response of the IT companies however has been very

poor and only about 5 companies have acknowledged the receipt of such aletter.

Meanwhile, the WEEE Care initiative which was started in August 2004has been working to motivate the single largest producer of e-waste namelythe IT industry to also participate in the programme.

WEEE Care together with representatives from the industry has drawn up

a wish list which will require all generators of e-waste to comply withcertain regulations at the time of disposal of their e-waste.


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Thus we now have a base where the IT industry will work together with

both formal and informal sectors of e-Waste recycling to ensure properdisposal of waste.

A model is being finalised where the key stake holders comprising

generators, recyclers, NGOs and the government agencies will regulate thisflow of waste and monitor the final disposal.


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1. INTRODUCTION: E-waste and computer scrap

The world over, e-Waste has now become closely associated with computerand other IT related electronic equipment.

Bangalore continues to be the IT capital of the country. Thus in looking at

the problems associated with e-waste in the city, the recycling and disposalof this waste naturally takes precedence over the other e-waste streams

such as refrigerators and televisions

IT scrap would include all hardware and accessories including networkingequipment, monitors, Central Processing Units, (CPU), Printed Circuit

Boards (PCB), wires, printers, keyboards and mouse,

In Delhi computer scrap accounts for around 25% of total e-Waste in thecity (Pilot assessment for Delhi- IRG).

Our survey of e-Waste hotspots in Bangalore concentrated on units where

computer scrap accounted for around 45-50% of the total e-scrap.

Further, in Delhi only 60% of waste is generated from domestic sourcesand the balance accounted for by imports and waste from other Indian

towns and cities

In Bangalore more than 75% of waste is generated from within the city.Imports through Chennai takes place in relatively small quantities.

There are around 50 units involved with the retrieval and recycling of IT

related scrap in the city.

All these units are actively involved with primary segregation and someform of dismantling. This results in the recovery of broad categories of

material including plastic, copper, steel, iron, CRTs and PCBsThe city has a host of units involved in the further recycling of plastic and

metal. Some of this is also sold to scrap dealers in other cities.

One of the key attractions for scrap dealers is the retrieval of gold/silvercoated connectors which form part of a PCB and are also found in very

small quantities in the keyboard.The quantity of gold is very small just about 0.3-0.5 gms per computer. Yet

the extraction of gold from the PCBs and keyboard is a significant part ofrecycling of e-waste in Bangalore. It is about the most lucrative as well as

the most environmentally damaging.


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2. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE OF THE MISSION

In 2004, Saahas conducted a baseline study e-Waste, Bangalore wakes upto a new threat. The study showed the existence of a thriving trade in e-

waste scrap in the city which was regularly fed by the public and privatesector

The baseline study however gave only limited information about the

various activities.

2.1 Objectives of current study

To get a comprehensive picture about the recycling activities carriedout with respect to computer scrap

To understand the processes used for extraction of precious metals andthe economic involved

To identify and survey all the recycling cluster centers in Bangalore

To initiate dialogue with the scrap dealers and recyclers so as to bringthem into some form of organisation

To make a database of select large recyclers and dealers who could beinvited to participate in the WEEE Care Initiative

To get an insight into the expectations of the scrap dealers from theother stakeholders (IT industry, government agencies, etc)

2.2 Methodology adoptedE-Waste: Bangalore wakes up to a new threat. Indicated that there were 5

areas in Bangalore where some form of electronic waste recycling wasbeing carried out.

These 5 areas were further explored in the current study to determine the

exact nature of the activities. These included:

Mysore Road incl. Gowri Palya (Central)

Rajaji Nagar (West)

Thammaiah Road, Tannery Road (East)

Whitefield and Madhavpura (South).

In addition to working with the recycling and scrap dealers, we continued

to meet various stakeholders and generators to look at the quantities of e-waste generated by them and their disposal systems. Specifically we will

look at the large Public Sector units and Multinational Corporations Sincethe first study indicated that computer scrap was the most significant within

the e-waste spectrum; the current study has focused on this waste stream.


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The current study is more in the nature of an exploration into the generation

and recycling activities taking place in Bangalore city.

On the generation front, we targeted the auctions in Bangalore throughwhich all the large companies sold waste.

E-waste however is a subject that has acquired great sensitivity. Both

generators and the scrap trade are apprehensive about giving informationabout the methods used in disposal.

Under these conditions a broad questionnaire was formulated (Annex) to

probe into the disposal and recycling methods used.

Each of the five areas was then surveyed to identify the recycling units anddetermine the nature of their activities. The survey however was conducted

very informally.

Discussions were held with the owner of the units and some workers.General observations also helped to answer some of the questions.

Each of the areas had to be visited frequently. This helped to gain the

confidence of the owners and workers.

At all times we showed great appreciation for the recycling activitiescarried out. We informed the scrap dealers that we were conducting a study

to understand the recycling systems in Bangalore. We explained how onaccount of their activities important materials are recovered and reused

rather than be dumped and lost. Further we explained that we would beconducting awareness programmes, educational institutions as also

corporate offices to educate the general public about the need to ensure thatall their e-waste gets recycled.

We also gave them details about how in other western countries- this waste

was being dumped after which retrieval of materials was very difficult. Inthis context the Indian recycling systems which was so labour intensive

was now being appreciated all over the world.

We also informed them that corporate offices were now willing to help therecyclers get access to better technology which would help eliminate the

pollution caused on account of recycling without interfering in the labourforce involved.

This approach helped us slowly gain confidence of the scrap dealers.


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3 SCOPE OF TASK

Outcome

A comprehensive picture of the situation with respect to e-Waste

recycling and disposal in Bangalore will emerge

More specifically we will have information on the recycling

capacities and methods adopted for computer componentsespecially PCBs

A database of scrap dealers and recyclers who would be willing toupgrade recycling technologies so as to make them environment

friendly

The other activities related to the study will facilitate a dialogue

between all stakeholders including the generators, dealers andgovernment institutions

4 ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS ACHIEVED

The activities conducted and subsequent information obtained can be putinto three broad categories

4.1 Tracking generation of computer scrap

4.2 Distribution and flow of computer scrap

4.3 Recycling and final disposal

4.1 Tracking generation of computer scrap

The IT industry is the single largest generator of computer scrap in the city.

Reports from the Software Technology Park of India (STPI) indicate that in2004, there were 1,322 software companies registered in Bangalore.

In addition there are 36 hardware manufacturing units. These units also

contribute significantly to e-waste which reaches the scrap market in theform of manufacturing rejects.

Together these 1358 companies represent the formal face of the IT industry

in Bangalore and Karnataka. However it must be said that there are someunits which are not registered and for which there is not much information

available

The major sources for generation of e-waste in Bangalore includes


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debonding of custom bonded equipment

rejects from manufacturing processes

Unclaimed goods.

4.1 A: Debonding of custom bonded equipment

Under the EXIM (Export Import) Policy 2000 of the Government of India,

all companies registered as EOUs are allowed the duty free import ofhardware and accessories. Under this regulation however unless the duty is

paid, imported equipment remains under a customs bond which implies thatthey cannot be sold.

Equipment which becomes old and obsolete has either to be donated to

charitable institutions or physically destroyed (please see E-Waste,Bangalore Wakes up to a New Threat)

In 2003-2004 reports from the STPI showed that 21 companies opted to go

in for destruction of their computer hardware and peripherals in order todebond. These items were collectively valued at 15.6 crores (value at the

time of entering custom bond).

Industry sources indicate that in 2004 the average cost of an importedcomputer would be around Rs 40,000.

Thus a total value of Rs 15.6 crores would account for around 3,900

computers/ accessories

At an average weight of around 31 kgs per computer the waste generatedwould be around 120 tonnes with each company generating on an average

5 tonnes of e-waste per annum.

Collectively the industry comprising 1,358 companies would generate

around 6,790 tonnes of obsolete equipment annually.

In 2003-2004, 21 companies opted for physical destruction of goods. Afterdestruction this waste is generally sold to scrap dealers and thereby it enters

the recycling chain.

What happens then to the rest of the 1337 companies in the IT industry?

No doubt these companies would also be generating an equal volume ofobsolete equipment. Currently there is little information about what


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happens to this material except to assume that it was donated to some

charitable institutions.

Thus the life of this equipment would be extended for a while althoughultimately this equipment would also enter the scrap market.

Destruction of custom bonded imported computer hardware and

accessories

Year Value at the time of bonding

2002-2003 Rs 10.61 crores *

*USD converted @

1 USD = Rs 402003-2004 Rs 15.6 crores *

*USD converted @1 USD = Rs 40

2004-2005(April 04 Feb 05)

Rs 11.32 crores*

*USD converted @ Rs 1USD =Rs 43

4.1B Rejects from manufacturing processes

Manufacturing of electronic equipment generates considerable electronicwaste. In Bangalore there are 36 large hardware manufacturers registered

with the STPI.

According to MAIT there are many more unregistered manufacturing unitsall engaged in the production of electronic equipment?

In the course of our study we also tracked the PCB industry in Bangalore.

These manufacturing units are not part of the STPI but they haveconsiderably large manufacturing facilities which ultimately also contribute

significantly to the waste generated.

For example there are in all 15-20 companies involved in the manufactureof Printed Circuit Boards in the city.

Collectively these companies manufacture around 8,000-9,000 sq meters of

board per annum.

Rejects from this sector of the industry is also considerable.


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Rejects from a leading public sector companies involved in themanufacture of PCB among other electrical and electronic equipment

amounts to around 6 tonnes per annum.

4.1D Unclaimed goods

Reports from scrap dealers indicate that there is a small quantity of new ITequipment which enters the scrap trade as unclaimed baggage.

The volume of this material though is small and relatively insignificant.

4.2 Distribution and flow of e-waste

In our last report e-Waste, Bangalore faces a new threatwe had traced theflow of e-Waste through the different channels.

Further we now know that the auction plays in a crucial role as the means

by which scrap dealers acquire waste.

4.2 A Sale through Auctions: This is a primary platform whereby scrap

dealers acquire computer scrap.

Companies on their part utilize this medium to sell all possible scrap and itis seen that computers and peripherals form part of the items which are

auctioned.

On an average each company would hold an auction 3-4 times a year.

Conducting an auction has now become a professional exercise and mostlarge companies would hand over the task to specialized organisations.

In a typical auction the scrap is piled together into different categories

termed as lots. Depending on the requirement of the scrap dealer, he places

a bid for the lots he is interested in by paying an EMD-Earnest moneydeposit- (It ranges between -10-20 percent of his bid value)

The scrap dealers attending these auctions are either middlemen whopurchase scrap for secondary sale to recyclers or large scrap houses or

relatively smaller recyclers who need the scrap for their own units.


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This scrap is then sorted and segregated. Reusable components sold to the

second hand market. A part of this waste is also sold to middlemen whohave contacts with scrap dealers in Mumbai and Delhi. The rest of the

waste is then further reprocessed in Bangalore.

This would include items such as CPUs, monitors, wires, keyboards, mouseand other components.

The material retrieved from these components includes iron, steel, copper,

plastic, copper and precious metal like gold and silver.

It is estimated that there are around 100 medium to large scrap dealersinvolved in the trade in Bangalore. 50% of these scrap dealers

simultaneously run small recycling outfits.

Some of the large scrap dealers also function as buying houses. We locatedtwo such units on SP Road. Their clients include those dealers involved in

repair and second sale of products as also those coming from outside thecity including Delhi and Mumbai. These buying houses regularly made lists

of products that they required. This in turn is circulated to various scrapdealers who acquire these products through auctions or through direct

purchase from companies and sell it to these buying houses.

4.3 Dismantling and Recycling of computer scrap mapping

Bangalore

It is now confirmed that Gowri Palya (including Bytranpura, JJ Nagar and

Mysore Road) and Thimmaiah Road are the two hot spots for e-wasterecycling in the city. Together these two areas would account for 95% of

computer scrap recycling in the city. In addition there are small unitslocated in tannery road, R.T Nagar and Whitefield. These units however

deal with electrical waste.

Recycling processes carried out here include:A. Segregation of waste and dismantling

B. Extraction of precious metal

C. Burning of PCBs

4.3A Segregation of waste and dismantling: This is the basic activity

conducted by all scrap dealers and recyclers.

When dealers purchase scrap either directly or through auctions the scrapthat they acquire is mixed. Thus there will be monitors, keyboards, wires,

PCBs and other electrical items all mixed together.


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Even if the various different components are kept together in one lot (thishappens in auctions) the scrap has to be further sorted depending on the

content of each scrap item. Thus for example a heap of Printed CircuitBoards will have to be sorted depending on the content of precious metal in

each of them.

Segregation is a labour intensive activity which requires immense patience.There is also certain skill which is required as the persons involved must

have knowledge of the material content of each scrap item. This isespecially true for the PCB Boards which are of different kinds.

In addition persons involved must be able to identify those components

which are in working condition. Thus in the case of the PCB or a computermonitor PCBS or the CRT tubes which can be reused are kept separately.

These are then sold later to second hand dealers who are involved withrepair of old equipment. Some of this equipment is also sold in the Sunday

Bazar.

Segregation in itself can be classified as a positive activity. The negativeaspects includes-

a. Use of child labour and the infrastructure of units.b. Most of the units have no proper ventilation and

c. Workers sit on the floor bending for hours over scrap items andworking with their bare hands.

Our survey showed that 4-5 units used child labour for this activity. In 2units we found that the children were family members.

After the sorting processes, dismantling of scrap is carried out. Each scrap

item is taken apart and the raw material retrieved for recycling or reuse.

Common items which are retrieved after dismantling include copper, iron,steel and plastic. In the case of a computer monitor, the CRT tube is

retrieved. This later is used for making low cost televisions.

Each of these raw materials is then channeled to different waste streams.

Thus all metal goes to metal scrap dealers, plastic to plastic recyclers, andCRT tubes to TV manufacturers or to Delhi based recyclers who areinvolved in CRT tube regunning.

It is very difficult to estimate the quantities of waste retrieved from the

scrap.On an average each unit acquires around 1-2 tonnes of mixed scrap every

month.


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Looking specifically at the PCBs in the scrap units in Bangalore - materialretrieved includes connector pins containing precious metal like gold and

silver. These pins are plucked from the connector and sold to units involvedin extraction.

After extraction the pins are then used for recovery of steel and other metal.

The PCB boards minus connectors have some amount of steel and copper.

Segregation and dismantling: a closer look

Activity Positive Negative

Segregation Materials can be used again

facilitates recycling

Child Labour.

Improper maintenance.

Dismantling Retrieving process is easier. Child Labour.Improper maintenance.

Crude method

Recycling Material can be reused. Environmentalpollution.

Child Labour.Improper maintenance.

Lack of protectiveequipment.

Disposal Only non-recyclable material isdisposed

Materials recovered

Part Recovered Recovery process

Monitor CRT ,Circuit board and

plastic casing

Manual work using screwdriver

CPU Motherboard, Processor,

RAM,Graphiccard, Audiocard

Floppydrive,

CD drive, BUZZ and othersmall parts

Manual work using hammer, plier

and screw driver.Burning to retrieve copper.

Gold is recovered using acid.

Keyboard Plastic casing and Key

connectors

Gold is recovered using acid

bath.

4.3B Extraction of precious metalsPrecious metal including gold and silver can be extracted from connector

pins which are components embedded in the PCBs.


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4.3C Precious metal extraction: profile of unitsCurrently Bangalore has around 50 units involved in purchase of electronic

waste, segregation, dismantling and recovery of components. Of theseabout 20 units are also involved in the recovery of precious metal. Most of

these units have been engaged in some form of recycling activity includingrecovery of precious metal for the last 10-15 years.

Each unit has a worker strength ranging from 10-25. The units are run as a

family business where the extended family is involved. The familymembers thus make up about 95% of the workforce and only 2-3 members

are employed additionally.

Most of these units are located in densely populated residential areas. Infact some of the units are simply an extension of a family home.

All these units have similar capacities with respect to recovery of precious

metal and therefore operate under similar conditions. The extractionprocess is carried out in tiny rooms with an area of around 10 meters. There

is no ventilation in the form of windows and most often all work isconducted behind closed doors.

There was only one unit identified where extraction was carried out in an

open shed. The heating process here was done in the open area outside theshed.

Infrastructure is limited to a bare minimum and consists of a few hammers

and pliers for plucking the connectors from the PCBs, and primus stove anda few steel containers for heating the acids.

Workers prefer to work with their bare hands and do not even wear masks.

As an observer it is difficult to stay in the vicinity of the pungent fumesfrom the nitric acid for more than 5 minutes. Yet the persons working in the

unit appear totally acclimitised and can spend a whole day working in themidst of all the fumes. Moreover, no special precautions are taken even

when handling hazardous substances like mercury and cyanide.

Workers are in the age group between 25-50. About 95% of them are malewith women involved largely with the segregation process. These women

were not family members but employed as additional workforce.

When queried about this seeming indifference to their health the workersadmitted that they were aware that substances like cyanide were poisonous.

However, they claimed that they had not experienced any adverse effects


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on their health so they presumed that their bodies had got used to the

working conditions.

5. DEVIATION FROM SCOPE OF TASK

In the last six months we had extensive meetings with the different scrap

dealers.

However we have yet to bring them together in a joint meeting.

This will be possible only after an action plan has been developed whichwill demonstrate to the scrap dealers the advantages in forming an

association or a cooperative.

Further an intervention programme for the scrap dealers has to bedeveloped after which they can be encouraged to seek authorisation for the

concerned civic agencies.

6. INITIATED STEPS

In the course of working on this report we have interacted with three keystake holders.

i. The informal sector involved in computer scrapii. The IT industry which is the single largest producer of computer

scrapiii. The regulatory agency namely the Karnataka State Pollution

Control Board

Certain steps have been initiated to bring about a better understanding ofthe problem and prepare the ground for introducing some solutions

6.1 Participation of the IT industry in identifying solutions

Until recently the IT industry remained detached from the environment and

health concerns associated with e-waste. They did not see a direct

connection between their business and the issues of e-waste.

Over the last six months slowly the gap is being bridged and the IT

industry has now agreed to come forward and be a part of the WEEE Careinitiative which is identifying solutions to the E-waste problem.

6.2 Film on e-waste


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The work done to understand the problems and find solutions has also been

now documented in a film on e-Waste.

This film will also be useful in reaching out to the other e-waste generatorsand the general public

7. ANALYSIS OF RESULTS

i. There is an urgent need to recognise the threat of e-waste to publichealth and the environment and act accordingly.

ii. The quantities of e-Waste being generated in the city are huge.Currently estimates are available only about the volumes generated.

However, these volumes will only increase in the future.iii. We have the capacities to address the volumes since we have in

place a solid framework for collection, distribution, reuse andrecycling of this waste stream.

iv. However the intervention of the other stake holders is necessary toensure that the existing system is strengthened so that capacities to

address environment and health concerns are also factored inv. E-Waste recycling can be a profitable business enterprise. Therefore

big entrepreneurs are bound to come forward in this sectorvi. In such a situation the informal sector will need support so as to

ensure that they continue to co-exist with the larger, more formalrecycling enterprises


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8. RECOMMENDATIONS

Problem Recommendation

The quantities of e-waste generated are

huge. Difficult to getcredible estimates of

volumes generated

Extensive tracking done of quantities generatedthrough a well established inventory system. All

generators will have to maintain a register of e-waste generated and the disposal route. This

inventory system will help the recycling industryto cope with the capacities generated.

Generators areunwilling to take

responsibility for wastegenerated

Through widespread awareness -Concept ofExtended Producer Responsibility (EPR) can be

strengthened. This will motivate e-wastegenerators to participate along with the other

stake holders to strengthen e-waste recycling anddisposal systems

Recycling processes (eggold extraction) are

polluting and a threat tohuman health

Identify the polluting processes and introducealternatives

Informal sector worksunder a shroud of

secrecy

Give incentives to the informal sector to upgradetheir facilities and support them to come forward

to seek authorisation for their facilities

Authorisation of

facilities is a tediousprocess

All stakeholders could come together to form a

regulatory body which will conduct regularaudits and recommend authorisation. This will

make the process transparent and authorisationwill be simplified

Co-existence of formaland informal sector

Bring the two sectors together into a dialogue sothat optimal recycling processes can be

discussed and demarcations drawn with respectto areas of operation


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Ban Galore Study of Ere Cycling

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