From May 1, 2012 onwards the manufacturers and consumers of hazardous electronics and electrical goods will also be responsible for the disposal of their waste as well as recycling. The new e-waste (management and Handling) Rules 2011 has come in to effect from today.
According to the new rules, the presence of hazardous and toxic substances in the component of the e-waste necessitates its management also. This also includes the collection and recycling in an environmentally sound manner.
The guidelines issued by the Hazardous Waste Management Division of Central Pollution Control Board said, “These rules shall apply to every producer, consumer or bulk consumer, collection centre, dismantler and recycler of e-waste involved in the manufacture, sale, purchase and processing of electrical and electronic equipment”. But the rules will not be applied on the lead acid batteries which has been covered under the Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules and other acts like Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act and radio active waves as covered under the provisions of Atomic Energy Act.
As per the new guidelines, there is a need to encourage the recycling of all useful as well as valuable material from e-waste so that the natural resources can be saved from depleting.
