E-waste Management Guidelines – India

What is E-waste?
Electronic waste, or e-waste, is a term for electronic products that have become unwanted, non-working or obsolete, and have essentially reached the end of their useful life. Because technology advances at such a high rate, many electronic devices become “trash” after a few short years of use. In fact, whole categories of old electronic items contribute to e-waste such as VCRs being replaced by DVD players, and DVD players being replaced by blu-ray players. E-waste is created from anything electronic: computers, servers, telephones, TVs, monitors, cell phones, PDAs, VCRs, CD players, fax machines, printers, etc.

Introduction:
E-Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011, were notified in the year 2011 and have come into force since 1^st May, 2012. In order to ensure effective implementation of E-Waste Rules and to clearly delineate the role of producers in EPR, MoEF & CC, Government of India in supersession of E-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011, has notified the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 vide G.S.R. 338(E) dated 23 March 2016 which came into effect from 01 October 2016. These rules are applicable to every producer, consumer or bulk consumer, collection centre, dismantler and recycler of e-waste involved in the manufacture, sale, purchase and processing of electrical and electronic equipment.

Brief on general scheme of collection:
We have partnered with Ecyclear (The Green Medium), registered PRO, who has further partnered with Exigo Recycling Pvt. Ltd. registered with Haryana State Pollution Control Board for recycling of all our e-waste. As a part of agreement, Exigo Recycling Pvt. Ltd. will disposes the e-waste at their plant at 72 K.M. Stone, Near Maruti Showroom, G.T.Road, Samalkha-132 101, Dist. Panipat, Haryana.

As per our agreement with Ecyclear if any customer wants to handover their old product they can reach or call our Toll Free No 1800 266 2955. Our representatives shall explain them about the process of disposal and make them aware about nearest drop point available to drop the e-waste and also give information about incentive which we will offer to them against their end of life product. If any customer wants to handover the material from their door steps, we can also arrange to send either our logistics team or Ecyclear team to collect the items and channelize the same to our e-waste partner plant for final processing.

Ecyclear has signed an agreement with TruMove Services Pvt. Ltd. for Reverse logistics.

Benefit of recycling of E-waste:

1. E-waste contains many valuable, recoverable materials such as aluminium, copper, gold, silver, plastics, and ferrous metals. In order to conserve natural resources and the energy needed to produce new electronic equipment from virgin resources, electronic equipment can be refurbished, reused, and recycled instead of being land filled.
2. E-waste also contains toxic and hazardous materials including mercury, lead, cadmium, beryllium, chromium, and chemical flame retardants, which have the potential to leach into our soil and water.
3. Protects your surroundings- Safe recycling of outdated electronics promotes sound management of toxic chemicals such as lead and mercury.
4. Conserves natural resources- Recycling recovers valuable materials from old electronics that can be used to make new products. As a result, we save energy, reduce pollution, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save resources by extracting fewer raw materials from the earth.
5. Helps others -Donating your used electronics, benefits your community by passing on ready-to-use or refurbished equipment to those who need it.
6. Saves landfill space -E-waste is a growing waste stream. By recycling these items, landfill space can be conserved.

How to solve the E-waste problem?
Solving the e-waste problem starts with education, and habit changes as a result of knowledge. Most people are trained to recycle a newspaper, bottles, and cans. Almost anything electronic in nature can be recycled properly with effort. It is important that any e-waste processor is fully certified in safe destruction and follow certified documented procedures to safely dispose of electronic waste. Ask questions before you recycle! Some unscrupulous recyclers ship e-waste overseas where it is disposed of improperly, posing a threat to the environment and its’ people.

Do’s & Don’ts of End of life Products/E-waste

Do’s:

• Always look for information on the catalogue with your product for end-of-life equipment handling.
• Ensure that only Authorized Recyclers/Dismantler handle your electronic products.
• Always call at our toll-free No’s to dispose of our products that have reached end-of life
• Always drop your used electronic products, batteries or any accessories when they reach the end of their life at your nearest Authorized E-Waste Collection Points.
• Always disconnect the battery from product, and ensure any glass surface is protected against breakage.

Don’ts:

• Do not dismantle your electronic Products on your own
• Do not throw electronics in bins having “Do not Dispose” sign.
• Do not give e-waste to informal and unorganized sectors like Local Scrap Dealer/ Rag Pickers.
• Do not dispose your product in garbage bins along with municipal waste that ultimately reaches landfills.

Our Collection Channels

Includes collection points, where our customers can leave/ drop off the E-waste at specially created sites/centers. Alternatively, Ecyclear (The Green Medium), Registered PRO in association with its after sales service provider, can also enable collection of material from our customers to further channelize it to their authorized recycler/dismantler, to process E-waste collected/generated at the following collection points.

What should I do with my electronic discards?

The mantra of “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle” applies here.

Reduce your generation of e-waste through smart handling and good maintenance.

Reuse still functioning electronic equipment by donating to us.

Recycle those products that cannot be repaired. Customer may handover their end of life products to our nearest drop points for proper Recycling.

We look forward to your support in ensuring safe and efficient disposal of e-waste which is a shared responsibility between our valued consumers and us. We value your co-operation. To know more about safe and secure recycling and proper disposal of end-of-life electrical and Electronic Products Customer can contact us at our toll free no: 1800-266 2955 or via email at IPCAsiaIndiaOperations@ipc.com.