315
IMRB conducted a national-level assessment study in 2010 revealing that only
about 6% of the E-waste is recycled, of which 95% is recycled through the informal
sector. Out of the total E-waste produced in 2016, only 21% (0.42 Mt) is documented to be collected properly and recycled (ASSOCHAM India 2018). This is
primarily due to poor infrastructure, legislational loopholes which lead to a waste of
diminishing natural resources, irreparable damage of environment and health of the
people working in industry (Figs. 18.2 and 18.3).
The current rate of E-waste generation in India is about 4.5 times greater than the
annual formal E-waste processing and recycling. Till 2016, there were 177 units
with annual capacity of recycling 438,0856 metric tons. Karnataka has the highest
number of units, 57, while West Bengal has only 1 such unit in its kitty (ASSOCHAM
India 2018).
18.8.1 Average Obsolescence Scenario
According to Brett H Robinson (2009), the contribution of an item to the annual
E-waste production, E (kg/year), depends on the mass of the item, M (kg); the number of units in service, N; and its average lifespan, L (years). It is expressed as
Table 18.3 Rate of increase in scrapping volume in India (X1000 units)
Year Refrigerator
Air
conditioner
Washing
machine
Television Computer Total
Growth rate
%
a
2005 5967
6826
12,073
27,113
2914
54,893 125
2011 12,100
23,336
25,334
65,414
59,749
185,934 406
a
(with reference to previous year) (Source: Rajya Sabha Report, 2012)
West Bengal
Uttar Pradesh
9.8
12.5
19.8
10.1
13
Andhra Pradesh
Tamil Nadu
Maharashtra
0
5
10
15
20
25
E-waste Share (%)
States
State-wise Leading E-Waste Generators
Fig. 18.2 State-wise E-waste generation. (Source: Rajya Sabha Report, 2012)
18 Eyeing Sustainability: Electronic Waste Handling in Kolkata
IMRB conducted a national-level assessment study in 2010 revealing that only
about 6% of the E-waste is recycled, of which 95% is recycled through the informal
sector. Out of the total E-waste produced in 2016, only 21% (0.42 Mt) is documented to be collected properly and recycled (ASSOCHAM India 2018). This is
primarily due to poor infrastructure, legislational loopholes which lead to a waste of
diminishing natural resources, irreparable damage of environment and health of the
people working in industry (Figs. 18.2 and 18.3).
The current rate of E-waste generation in India is about 4.5 times greater than the
annual formal E-waste processing and recycling. Till 2016, there were 177 units
with annual capacity of recycling 438,0856 metric tons. Karnataka has the highest
number of units, 57, while West Bengal has only 1 such unit in its kitty (ASSOCHAM
India 2018).
18.8.1 Average Obsolescence Scenario
According to Brett H Robinson (2009), the contribution of an item to the annual
E-waste production, E (kg/year), depends on the mass of the item, M (kg); the number of units in service, N; and its average lifespan, L (years). It is expressed as
Table 18.3 Rate of increase in scrapping volume in India (X1000 units)
Year Refrigerator
Air
conditioner
Washing
machine
Television Computer Total
Growth rate
%
a
2005 5967
6826
12,073
27,113
2914
54,893 125
2011 12,100
23,336
25,334
65,414
59,749
185,934 406
a
(with reference to previous year) (Source: Rajya Sabha Report, 2012)
West Bengal
Uttar Pradesh
9.8
12.5
19.8
10.1
13
Andhra Pradesh
Tamil Nadu
Maharashtra
0
5
10
15
20
25
E-waste Share (%)
States
State-wise Leading E-Waste Generators
Fig. 18.2 State-wise E-waste generation. (Source: Rajya Sabha Report, 2012)
18 Eyeing Sustainability: Electronic Waste Handling in Kolkata