317
of E-waste generated, while the manufacturers had to abide by the ‘extended producer responsibility’. The roles of the regulatory bodies like Pollution Control
Boards were well defined.
18.9 Siphoning of E-Waste
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous
Wastes and Their Disposal was brought into force in 1992 which had 186 member
countries and did put strict rules and regulations on the import and export of toxic
waste – including E-waste. However, the USA, along with other few countries, has
signed but not ratified the convention, implying that it’s still not illegal to dump
electronic waste. This siphoning is referred to as global ‘hidden flow’ of E-waste
(UNEP 2013). More than 40% of E-waste from the USA, Canada and Europe was
exported to Asia following the ‘path of least legal resistance’. But China, which has
been receiving the bulk share, recently issued a ban which has disturbed the entire
status quo (The ASEAN Post 2018) and has made India a vulnerable target.
From the report of Toxic Links (2003), it became clear that in the case of India,
a large amount of E-waste is imported mainly from the USA followed by Japan, the
Republic of Korea and European nations. But the exact figures on the amount of
E-waste cannot be confirmed as these are done under the garb of reusability or are
shown as donation. For solution MoEF has placed import of hazardous waste items
under three categories: (a) substances to be imported with prior consent (e.g. antimony, lead, acid batteries), (b) free imports under Open General License and (c)
prohibited (e.g. mercury, beryllium, arsenic). The Directorate General of Foreign
Trade (DGFT) and port and customs authorities are in charge for strict vigil.
18.10 Local Picture Mirroring Typical Global South
Scenario
Kolkata the megacity in the eastern India has emerged as an important hub for recycling of E-waste generated in the region. According to a report of Consumer Voice
2009, Kolkata ranked fifth in WEEE generation with 4025.3 tonnes, while Mumbai
topped. It was estimated that Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA) generated around
26,000 tonnes of potential annual E-waste annually, of which 9290 tonnes is available for recycling and only 2000 tonnes gets recycled. This potential annual E-waste
is expected to grow up to as high as 1,44,823 tonnes by 2020 (IMRB 2010).
A primary survey was conducted involving 120 households belonging to the category of consumers across socio-economic strata covering 16 boroughs. From the
survey an idea about the end of life (EoL) of the electronic gadgets was made. The
18 Eyeing Sustainability: Electronic Waste Handling in Kolkata
of E-waste generated, while the manufacturers had to abide by the ‘extended producer responsibility’. The roles of the regulatory bodies like Pollution Control
Boards were well defined.
18.9 Siphoning of E-Waste
The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous
Wastes and Their Disposal was brought into force in 1992 which had 186 member
countries and did put strict rules and regulations on the import and export of toxic
waste – including E-waste. However, the USA, along with other few countries, has
signed but not ratified the convention, implying that it’s still not illegal to dump
electronic waste. This siphoning is referred to as global ‘hidden flow’ of E-waste
(UNEP 2013). More than 40% of E-waste from the USA, Canada and Europe was
exported to Asia following the ‘path of least legal resistance’. But China, which has
been receiving the bulk share, recently issued a ban which has disturbed the entire
status quo (The ASEAN Post 2018) and has made India a vulnerable target.
From the report of Toxic Links (2003), it became clear that in the case of India,
a large amount of E-waste is imported mainly from the USA followed by Japan, the
Republic of Korea and European nations. But the exact figures on the amount of
E-waste cannot be confirmed as these are done under the garb of reusability or are
shown as donation. For solution MoEF has placed import of hazardous waste items
under three categories: (a) substances to be imported with prior consent (e.g. antimony, lead, acid batteries), (b) free imports under Open General License and (c)
prohibited (e.g. mercury, beryllium, arsenic). The Directorate General of Foreign
Trade (DGFT) and port and customs authorities are in charge for strict vigil.
18.10 Local Picture Mirroring Typical Global South
Scenario
Kolkata the megacity in the eastern India has emerged as an important hub for recycling of E-waste generated in the region. According to a report of Consumer Voice
2009, Kolkata ranked fifth in WEEE generation with 4025.3 tonnes, while Mumbai
topped. It was estimated that Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA) generated around
26,000 tonnes of potential annual E-waste annually, of which 9290 tonnes is available for recycling and only 2000 tonnes gets recycled. This potential annual E-waste
is expected to grow up to as high as 1,44,823 tonnes by 2020 (IMRB 2010).
A primary survey was conducted involving 120 households belonging to the category of consumers across socio-economic strata covering 16 boroughs. From the
survey an idea about the end of life (EoL) of the electronic gadgets was made. The
18 Eyeing Sustainability: Electronic Waste Handling in Kolkata