NGT Exposes Critical Gaps in India's E-Waste Management Infrastructure
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has raised significant concerns regarding the management of electronic waste across India, highlighting serious deficiencies in the current system. In a recent order, the tribunal pointed out the uneven distribution of recycling infrastructure and the weak mechanisms for tracking e-waste movement between states.
Directive to Central Pollution Control Board
The NGT has directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to file a comprehensive status report at least one week before the next hearing scheduled for May 21. This report is expected to detail the progress and challenges in e-waste management, as per the tribunal's instructions.
Bench Observations and Order Details
The tribunal bench, led by NGT Chairperson Prakash Shirvastava, issued an order dated February 12, 2024. In this order, it was noted that 17 states and union territories, including Delhi, currently lack any registered e-waste recycling facilities. This absence of infrastructure poses a major hurdle in effectively handling the growing volume of electronic waste.
CPCB Compliance Report and Key Issues
The CPCB, in response to a previous tribunal order, submitted an action taken report outlining compliance on several critical issues. These include the availability of recycling units, records of interstate transportation, monitoring of the informal sector, and inventorisation under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022. The report aims to assess the implementation of these regulations across the country.
Delhi's E-Waste Challenge
Delhi, as a major generator of electronic waste, faces particular challenges. Despite contributing approximately 9.5% of India's total e-waste, which amounts to around 2.3 lakh metric tons, the national capital territory has no registered e-waste recycler within its borders. Consequently, Delhi relies heavily on agreements with recyclers located outside the city, primarily in the National Capital Region (NCR). This dependency underscores the urgent need for localized recycling solutions to manage the substantial waste output effectively.
Implications and Future Steps
The NGT's findings highlight a pressing environmental and regulatory issue that requires immediate attention. The uneven recycling infrastructure and weak inter-state tracking systems could lead to improper disposal and environmental hazards. The upcoming CPCB report and subsequent tribunal hearing on May 21 are crucial steps toward addressing these gaps and improving e-waste management practices nationwide.
