E-waste: An Emerging Environmental & Health Issue

No. PR- 054 June 11, 2021 New Delhi E-waste: An Emerging Environmental & Health Issue Recycling electronics in industrial can create employment at the same time extract the value materials which are required for future manufacturing. India is one of the largest e-waste generating country mentioned Dr. Sandip Chatterjee, Director, Scientist ‘F (Electronic Materials & Components Division), Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), Govt of India in a webinar organized by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) on Virtual and Electronic Waste Conclave 2021. Dr. Sandip Chatterjee mentioned that MeitY’s initiatives on sustainable E-Waste Management include effective awareness to stakeholders; low-cost processing technology; affordable machines and equipment; promote start-ups and entrepreneurship and creating skilled manpower. He mentioned that with the help of the DIKSHA platform, e-learning content is being imparted to 7th-9th standard students. He informed that the ministry is creating the capacity building, skill, and entrepreneurship development for the youth in the North-East States where they are creating an industry eco-system for startups being explored with MSME, Sikkim. Many states have agreed to hand-holding and implementing supports while smart classrooms, LMS with VC, and whiteboard software are being created for online training. Talking about the global scenario to ensure a circular economy, Dr. Chatterjee mentioned that there is a need to focus on green public procurement, green design, circular economy indicator, eco-labels and green stickers, recycling standards, and R2R legislation. Dr. Suneel Pandey, Director (Environment & Waste Management division) The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) gave a detailed insight on recycling of E- plastics in India and its potential value. He emphasized that we need to look at the long life and modular design of the product; ease of dismantling ad recycling; chemical fingerprinting to reduce/replace hazardous materials and rare constituents; green designs for storage batteries and establishing the economy of scale of material recovery. In the technical session on Focused on Virtual Waste Mr. Mayank Chhatwal, Joint Secretary, PHDCCI gave an overview and Dr. Namita Rajput, Professor at Department of Commerce, Sri Aurobindo College, University of Delhi deliberated the latest developments in the e-waste management in the country and the importance of re-iterating the changes at the policy level which needs to be incorporated to manage e-waste efficiently and sustainably. She also talked about the proper process for disposal of electronic and vital waste which will help to promote a green environment. She emphasized the importance of data transparency, and how e-waste can be an engine for green growth. In the technical session on Focused on Electronic Waste, Ms. Deepali Sinha Khetriwal, Managing Director, Sofies Sustainability Leaders Pvt. Ltd moderated the session and Ms. Nancy Gillis, CEO, Global Electronics Council; Mr. Pranshu Singhal, Founder & Director, Karo Sambhav; Ms. P. Bineesha, Executive Director, International Institute of Waste Management and Prof. S K Narayankhedkar, Pro-VC ITM University Gwalior gave their inputs. The session deliberated on the various areas of e-waste management in the credibility of data; lack of awareness and compliance and Indian Market scenario of datacenter. It also discussed the impact of E-Waste on the Indian Environment in the future for which we need to prepare sustainable entrepreneurship, enable accountability and transparency in the e-waste management sector. The deliberations also highlighted that in the coming years, the contribution from virtual waste is going to increase especially in the formal corporate sector. In the future, there is a need to create recycling parks that will help minimize the environmental impact and create huge centralized recycling facilities. Mr. Pradeep Multani, Sr. Vice President, PHDCCI deliberated about Virtual waste which has increased due to the pandemic and the switch towards remote working. The data centers use massive amounts of energy and are the upstream beneficiaries of processes that contribute to climate change, resource extraction, and pollution. Mr. Multani opined that Electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the country with the growth of the Information and Communication Technology sector leading to increases in the usage of electronic equipment. Looking at the present and future times, there is a need for proper Virtual and Electronic waste management to keep sustainability as a priority for the world and mankind. Mr. Kunal Singhal, Co-Chair, ICT & Electronics Committee, PHDCCI while talking about the increase in E-Waste, mentioned that this needs to be taken as a priority issue before it becomes a global problem. The world needs to be taken the right collective steps and prevent it from becoming a hazard. The webinar was moderated by Mr. Naveen Seth, ASG, PHDCCI while Dr. Jatinder Singh, Director, PHDCCI delivered a formal vote of thanks and the session was attended by many industry stalwarts pan-India. PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s webinar was supported by DLF India; Multani Pharmaceuticals Ltd; JK Tyre & industries ltd; Marble City; Paramount Cables ltd; SMC Investments and Advisors Limited; Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic; DCM Shriram Industries Ltd; Radico Khaitan ltd Timberworkz, Synergy Environics Ltd and Comtech Interio. End Media Division PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry