Five Companies turn Red, failing to handle and recycle end-of-life electronic products..!

New Delhi, February 22: Rising are the hazards of extant air, water, noise and soil pollutants but meanwhile the uprising electronic wastes cannot be ignored, at all..! The Toxic link an environmental research and advocacy organisation have come up with a report analysis, placing five out of fifty four major electric and electronic companies in the poor category over implementing extended producer responsibility (ERP).

 

 

ERP is a mechanism through which producers are made responsible for handling and recycling end-of-life products. The report titled ‘Time to Reboot III’, released on February 21, 2019, categorised the companies using four colours being red, yellow, blue and green, where red implies the worst implementation and green implying an efficient take back system.

The five companies placed in the red category lacked commitment towards setting up an e-management system and accessible information service for consumers on the take-back system, according to the report. “We are really disappointed to see that the companies are still reluctant to set up effective take back systems. Helplines with no information and so many non-functional collection centres are clear indications that companies are not making any serious efforts,” said Priti Mahesh, chief coordinator, Toxic Link.

As per the report, no substantive changes have taken place on ground as companies are not taking responsibility to dispose e-waste. Twenty-nine out of 54 brands were placed in below average category (yellow), with a majority being cell phone companies.

These companies have take-back systems but only on paper and failed to provide information and services on collection centres, says the report.

Toxic links is a group of people working together for environmental justice and freedom from toxics. “We have taken it upon ourselves to collect and share information about the sources and dangers of poisons in our environment and bodies, as well as about clean and sustainable alternatives for India and the rest of the world”, the organisation visions.

In 2011, India notified the e-waste (management and handling) rules under which the main responsibility for e-waste management was placed on the producers of electrical and electronic equipment, through the EPR.

These companies have tied up with authorised recyclers and have authorisation from the Central Pollution Control Board. “There is a need to strengthen regulatory bodies and improve monitoring and enforcement. Companies with no take-back system on ground should not be allowed to sell within the country,” said the report indicating the lack of awareness regarding e-waste management in India.