Electronic Waste in India

Where do all our electronics go when we throw them away? This is called E-waste, and it may be a bigger problem than we think. E-waste is a popular, informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their “useful life.” Computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, and fax machines are common electronic products.

Unfortunately, electronic discards is one of the fastest growing segments of our nation’s waste stream. Millions of tons of disused electronic equipment containing toxic chemicals and heavy metals are being dumped every year without recycling or safe disposal. On an average more than 80 percent of televisions, computers, mobile phones and other equipment all over the world escape proper handling. E-waste levels are expected to touch 4.7 lakh tonnes by 2011 in India and reach over 2,00,000 workers mostly in the age group of 12-25. 

A United nations report suggests that mountains of hazardous waste from electronic products are growing exponentially in developing countries. The study also points out that India would have 500 percent more e-waste from old computers in 2020 than in 2007, and 18 times more old mobile phones. In a study conducted by Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health at the Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi of 250 people working in the city as recyclers and dismantlers over 12 months to October 2009 and almost all suffered from breathing problems such as asthma and bronchitis. 

                              

All workers have 10-20 times higher levels of lead, mercury and chromium in blood and urine samples. Such high levels can have a detrimental effect on the respiratory, urinary and digestive systems, besides crippling immunity and causing cancer. Toxic metals and poisons enter workers' bloodstreams during the laborious manual extraction process and when equipment is crudely treated to collect tiny quantities of precious metals.

Workers also are exposed to fumes of highly concentrated acids as they dip their hands in poisonous chemicals for long hours. The recovery of metals like gold, platinum, copper and lead uses caustic soda and concentrated acids. Safety gear such as gloves, face masks and ventilation fans are virtually unheard of, and workers -- many of them children -- often have little idea of what they are handling. The irony is that the amounts of gold and platinum these children extract are traces - fractions of a milligram. 

Even though the Indian government has proposed a law to regulate e-waste trade, destitute children still face hazards picking apart old computers. The proposed law says only big firms should be in the business of recycling and dismantling. This is not going to work because the informal sector already has a cheap system of collection, disposal or recycling in place -- so people will use that. The sight of children working in appalling conditions taking computers apart is as potent a symbol of India's deep troubles as rag-pickers sorting through stinking household rubbish dumps. 

E-waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2010 can be seen here. We need laws which will protect workers' interests, especially the vulnerable and children.