Volume : 4, Issue : 8, August - 2015

STATUS OF E-WASTE IN DELHI-NCR AND ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATIONS IN E-WASTE MANAGEMENT

Mudasir Syed Lolu

Abstract :

<p>India generated 1.7 million tonnes of Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment in 2014, making it the fifth largest electronic waste producer in the world (Global E-Waste Monitor 2014). With less than 10 per cent of the electronic scrap being recycled in an environmentally friendly and responsible way. Delhi-NCR is emerging as the world‘s dumping yard for e-waste and likely to generate to an extent of 95,000 metric tonnes (MT) per annum by 2017 from the current level 55,000 metric tonnes per annum growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 25% (ASSOCHAM paper August 2014). Delhi-NCR is also the main hub of e-waste recycling in India, and perhaps the world. The e-waste imported from Kolkata, Mumbai and Bangalore makes its way to Delhi as there is a ready market for glass and plastic in the NCR. Also, the wastes from Mumbai constitute a bulk of the 1,500 tonnes discarded electronics that land in Delhi‘s scrap yards every day. This paper highlights the hotspots of e-waste in Delhi-NCR and the role which international certifications like R2, E-Stewards, and EPEAT etc play in management of e-waste.</p>