e-waste Guidelines: Types of e-waste

Harmful Effects 

Waste from consumer electronics contains PCBs, cadmium, mercury and lead. Those substances are highly toxic and carcinogenic and when carelessly handled, they can contaminate our food and water supply and enter into the food chain.

Burning of these products causes toxic fumes to be emitted. This furthers the depletion of the ozone layer, as well as creating the potential of inhalation by humans and animals. PCBs have been shown to cause cancer, while cadmium, lead and mercury affect the central nervous system, which can cause cell damage and renal failure.

Fire and explosion risks – e.g. hydrocarbons and ammonia in fridges and freezers; polystyrene (e.g. polystyrene can be found in fridges/freezers as an insulator and is commonly used packaging material.  The pentane within the polystyrene is flammable);

If improperly disposed, used oil from refrigerated appliances can result in the release of dissolved ODS refrigerant and groundwater contamination. In addition, short-term exposure to used oil can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation; in the long-term, it can cause cancer and damage to the liver, brain, immune system, and reproductive system.

When released to the environment, mercury accumulates in the tissues of plants and animals and, when consumed by humans, impairs neurological development and causes other problems associated with the nervous system.

PCBs are toxic substances with carcinogenic and non-cancerous effects on humans, including effects on the immune system, reproductive system, nervous system, and endocrine system.

Government rules

Refer to http://www.moef.nic.in/downloads/rules-and-regulations/1035e_eng.pdf

Storage

As per Chapter IV of E-waste management and handling rules 2011

Every Producer, collection center, dismantler, and recycler may store the e-waste for a period not exceeding one hundred and eighty days (6 months) and shall maintain a record of the collection, sale, transfer, storage and segregation of wastes and make these records available for inspection.

ELCITA ADDITIONALLY recommends THE FOLLOWING

• An area must be designated as the storage area.
• This area must be a secure area; the loading dock is not permissible unless in a gated area.
• An area out of the weather, so that the containers do not become wet.
• Train employees who handle E-waste to prevent breakage & how to safely clean up any breakage that occurs.
• This storage space should be separate from space allocated for other scrap, including old chairs and other metal scrap.

Disposal procedure:

As per Chapter II of E-waste management and handling rules 2011

For Producers / Manufacturing Units

Refer to Page 12 of the ELCITA Member Kit for E-waste handling and disposal

For Consumers or Bulk Consumers:

a)                  Consumer or Bulk Consumers of electrical and electronic equipment listed in Schedule 1 of the Rules shall ensure that e-waste generated by them is channelized to the authorized collection center(s) or registered dismantlers(s) or recycler(s) or is returned to the pick-up or take back services provided by the producers.

b)                  Bulk Consumer shall maintain records of e-waste generated by them in Form 2 which is the “Form for maintaining records of e-waste handled / generated” and make such records available for scrutiny by the State Pollution Control or Pollution Control Committee.

For more information about any of the issues contained in this section, please contact Subha Niranjan:

Email: admin@elcita.in

Telephone: 080-4660 2222