B&E: With technological advances in almost every sector, E-waste in India is rising exponentially. What are your expectations from the government in this regard?
Rohan Gupta (RG): The government has recognised the perils caused by E-waste to the environment and has left no stone unturned in implementing the waste management rules. What is also required is to ensure the proper implementation of the introduced rules and regulations. While the new law is certainly a step in the right direction, it is important to keep a vigil to ensure that these laws are properly implemented or enforced. We expect government support in ensuring that only credible companies are allowed to recycle the E-waste so that it is processed in an environmentally friendly manner.
While the Government is doing their part, it is also very important for the corporate houses to take up initiatives towards a sustainable environment. It becomes very difficult for one entity to make such big changes; it will take the combine efforts of every stakeholder, corporate, NGOs, the common man along with the Government to build a green ecosystem. We also need the government’s support to ensure that only credible companies are allowed to recycle the E-waste.
B&E: What is your take on the data released by UN stating that India is expected to generate 1.72 million metric tonnes of E-waste?
RG: As per the UN report, by the year 2020, India’s E-waste generation will touch 1.72 million metric tonnes. We need to have a sustained effort to make corporates and people understand about the perils of E-waste. Also we need to make corporate and people aware about the fact that all our data is stored in digital format which can cause data security issues.
The best solution for handling E-waste is to generate awareness amongst the corporates and people and making sure that the E-waste is recycled in an environment friendly manner by authorised recyclers. We look forward to bring a strong surge in the levels of awareness on e-recycling since people need to be pushed aggressively to contribute and take part in this endeavor.
B&E: What are the challenges faced by the e-recovery sector?
RG: Over the years, we have faced challenges at both the community and society level. Lack of awareness has been a major challenge, which we are gradually handling by educating the masses. Government has also come forward and implemented a law named “Extended Producer’s Responsibility” wherein the producer’s of electronic equipments are responsible to take back their E-waste. Some other challenges that we still face are from the unorganised market of E-waste disposal which is a strong and big market. We are in the process of collaborating with them and training them to dispose the E-waste ethically and not to resort to easier, more profit making ways. Corporates still have not fully realised the potential threat posed by E-waste. There are a lot of data security issues and if the E-waste is not disposed off properly, then the brand involved is at a high risk. We ensure that all data is securely destroyed either at corporate locations or at our facility, so that we can tackle the data security issue. We also work with corporates to extend the life of usable assets, which are then given to underprivileged or to people who cannot afford new assets. We are also working with NGOs, RWAs, Schools and corporates to create awareness and we also incentivize consumers for giving back end-of-life products.
