Inventorisation of E-Waste and Developing a Policy – Bulk Consumer Perspective☆

Abstract Electronic waste (e-waste) or e-scrap or Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is the waste generated from the electrical and electronic equipment(s) (EEE) which is no longer fit for its originally intended use. Its growth is increasing as there is an increase in the development of Information and Telecommunication sectors, increased market penetration and planned obsolescence. This e-waste becomes hazardous since the electrical and electronic equipments require toxic heavy metals such as chromium, cadmium, nickel, lead, mercury, lithium and harmful plastics for their assembly and efficient functions. This e-waste imparts serious environmental and health hazards when it is broken, dismantled and treated in improper ways. The main purpose of this research is to find out how e-waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011 can be implemented for environmentally sound management of e-waste among bulk consumers sector where 70% of e-waste is stagnated in our country as revealed in various researches. Collection of data, through selective questionnaire and semi structured interviews with officers or experts from key relevant areas in IT and telecommunication sectors, hospitals, private institutions, recyclers and our educational institution were generated to develop a policy for complying subsidiary regulations and standards which will pave the way for effective resource recovery and protect our environment.