Organized recycling of electronic waste or e-waste is all set to get a policy push. The Environment Ministry on Wednesday announced draft rules for handling of e-waste by defining the responsibilities of stakeholders such as producers, dealers and recyclers among others. According to the draft E-waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2010, the producer of electronic goods including household appliances, computers, toys and medical equipment shall be liable for collecting any e-waste generated while manufacturing and will have to channelise it for recycling. In fact, the producers' responsibility will go beyond the boundaries of the manufacturing unit.

They will set up collection centers for e-waste generated from `end of life' of their products in line with the principle of `extended producer responsibility' and ensure that such e-waste is channelised to a registered refurbished. They shall also finance and organize a system to meet the costs involved in handling the e-waste. Tracking code The rules moot a unique serial number or individual identification code for product tracking in the e-waste management system. Dealers have to make provision for collecting used appliances.

Besides registering themselves with the respective State Pollution Control Boards, they will have to submit details of the collected waste annually. Even the consumers are expected to do their bit by ensuring that the electronic equipment not fit for use is deposited with the dealer or authorized collection centre. Who's responsible? Emphasizing the reduction in use of hazardous substances (RoHS) in the manufacture of electrical and electronic equipment over a three-year period, the rules state that producers are expected to adhere to the prescribed minimum threshold limits to using such substances. Further, the import of used electrical and electronic equipment for charity shall not be allowed in the country, the rules state.

Further, the stakeholders shall be liable for any damage caused to the environment or human health including third parties due to improper handling and disposal of e-waste. They shall inform the authorities of such damage and undertake to reinstate or restore the damage at their cost, failing which they shall be liable to pay the entire cost of remediation or restoration of the environment. Even the consumers shall be liable to deposit the e-waste with an authorized dealer or collection centre, failing which they shall be liable to pay a fine as specified for violation of the provision. It is estimated that India produces some 3.8 lakh tonnes of e-waste annually.

Mr Nitin Gupta, CEO of Attero Recycling, said one of the highlights of the draft e-waste rules was the concept of `producer responsibility'. "It has said that manufacturers will be responsible for the safe disposal of electronics product - as is the case with markets like Europe and Japan," he said. Asked if the implementation of the same would increase the expenses (associated with collection and disposal of such products) for the manufacturer, he said, "The cost will vary from case to case, but it will be less than one per cent of the total sales of companies.

It is more a mindset issue and not so much a financial burden." IT hardware association MAIT's Executive Director, Mr Vinnie Mehta, said e-waste is one of the world's fastest growing waste streams. "With increased consumption of IT and electronics products, India will soon be faced with the challenges of managing the same," he said welcoming the draft rules. Mr Rajoo Goel, Secretary General, Electronics Industries Association of India, "Currently there is no formal system of recycling of electronic waste as the industry is divided into organized and unorganized.

While exchange offers by companies are self-financing in nature, e-waste per se still needs a formal system of disposal. Companies, therefore, will need to invest in building such an infrastructure." The Ministry has now sought comments from stakeholders over the next two months.