Environment Protection and E-Waste Management in India

Abstract

E-waste is nowadays one of the emerging pollutants which draw the attention of people throughout the world. Management of e-waste is a serious concern for the International community. Pollution caused by it is not only for India but for other developed and developing counties. In absence of any specific legislation on E-waste, the options available are Rules and Regulations made by government in India. The latest introduction of the scheme of the government in the form of E-waste (Management) Rules, 2016 provides an opportunity to look into the existing e-waste management process and also ponder on the effectiveness of the same. The unique feature of Environmental regime in India is to have different legislations on different environmental issues. In order to prevent and control water pollution and air pollution, the Water (Prevention & Control) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention & Control) Act, 1981 have been enacted by the Parliament. To tackle the issues of environmental protection comprehensively, an umbrella and enabling legislation namely, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 has been passed. The Rules of 2016 which replaced ‘the E-waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011’ made under this Act of 1986. There are many issues which require serious consideration and compelling need to make identification and compliance. The matters pertaining to fraudulent traders, environmentally unsound practices and some changes introduced by the new Rules on e-waste management require severe scrutiny and review. Electronic equipments, especially computers, are often discarded by the people from time to time on invention of latest and sophisticated technology which has rendered existing equipments and related knowledge obsolete and undesirable. The process of recycling or collection or taken back policy of e-waste is the need of the hour.