Latest news with #E-Waste(Management)Rules
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Sirsa inspects Norway plant to model Delhi's first e-waste park on ‘best practices'
Delhi environment and industries minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Monday visited an e-waste processing facility in Revetal, Norway, as part of a technical study to incorporate international best practices into Delhi's upcoming e-waste park in Holambi Kalan. Delhi environment and industries minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa at the Norway plant. (HT Photo) The ₹150-crore facility planned by the Delhi government is touted as India's first e-waste park and will have the capacity to process 51,000 metric tonnes of electronic waste annually. Officials said the eco park, to be built under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, will cater to all 106 categories of e-waste listed in the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, and is projected to generate over ₹350 crore in revenue and create thousands of jobs. Sirsa, who holds dual portfolios, said the project will reflect Delhi's commitment to integrated progress. 'As both the Environment Minister and the Industries Minister of Delhi, I will not allow either to suffer because of the other. Our goal is integrated progress, where clean industry fuels economic growth and safeguards the environment,' he said. During the visit, Sirsa conducted a detailed technical inspection of the plant, run by Norwegian company REVAC. He interacted with senior engineers and operations heads to understand dismantling, segregation, and material recovery systems at the facility. REVAC's plant was selected for the visit due to its annual processing capacity of approximately 110,000 metric tonnes and its internationally recognised environmental practices. 'The terrain and climate conditions of Revetal are similar to Holambi Kalan. That makes this comparison meaningful from a design and operational standpoint,' said Sirsa.
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Business Standard
01-08-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Let market forces decide price for e-waste, electronics firms tell Delhi HC
Electronics product manufacturing companies, such as Samsung and Voltas, told the Delhi High Court on Friday that the government should allow market forces to determine the price of electronic waste instead of fixing those prices itself. The electronic waste disposal rules mandate a minimum payment of Rs 22 per kg to recyclers, which the companies claim will significantly increase their costs. The companies are seeking to have these rules quashed, arguing that they are commercially unviable and go against the objectives of the Environment Protection Act (EPA). India's e-waste management is governed by the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, which became effective on April 1, 2023. These 2022 rules build upon the 2016 rules, which first introduced the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Companies such as Samsung, Voltas, and LG have opposed these rules before the Delhi High Court. An EPR certificate is a document that demonstrates a company's commitment to environmentally responsible waste management. It signifies compliance with regulations regarding the collection, recycling, and proper disposal of products, particularly electronic waste, plastic waste, and batteries. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in India issues these certificates to producers and importers of various products. The government's objective under the new rules, the companies argued, is to incentivize recyclers rather than solely protect the environment. However, the court remarked that the "move to incentivize the recyclers" was also aimed at "protecting the environment." The lawyer for the electronics companies told the court that the EPR mechanism was working successfully. With the new price regulations, the costs they need to pay to recyclers have increased significantly. The companies claimed that with the minimum and maximum percentage caps of 30 per cent and 100 per cent, respectively, prices have gone up. "Price regulation is being done by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). We need to find a solid legal basis for these new rules," argued the counsel for the companies. He also argued that the new, increased prices felt like a 'penalty' for the companies despite their compliance with the rules. The government had told the court in the previous hearing that it should dismiss the pleas from the electronic companies, stating that they were driven by commercial considerations.
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Telangana sees growth in e-waste processing, ranks second in country
1 2 Hyderabad: For the first time, Telangana's electronic waste has crossed the 1 lakh metric tonne (MT) mark, positioning the state as the third-largest contributor in the country, after Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Interestingly, Telangana ranked second in terms of e-waste processing growth, behind only Uttar Pradesh. According to the data shared in Lok Sabha by the ministry of environment, forest and climate, the state witnessed an increase of 53,961 MT of e-waste processing in 2024-25, up from 65,226 MT in 2023-24 to 1,19,187 MT. Of the nation's total e-waste processing capacity of 13.97 MT, Telangana accounts for 8.5%. Since 2021-22, the state recorded a threefold increase in e-waste processing, from 42,297 MT in 2021-22 to 1.19 lakh MT during the previous fiscal year. This progress is particularly notable given that Telangana operates with just 19 recycling centres, compared to states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu, which have nearly three times as many facilities. The majority of Telangana's e-waste recycling centres are in Greater Hyderabad. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad According to Telangana Pollution Control Board (TGPCB) officials, this significant increase in e-waste processing is largely due to the active participation of IT firms in e-waste management. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Balai Ahad: Unsold Sofas Prices May Surprise You (Prices May Surprise You) Sofas | Search Ads Search Now Undo Rising e-waste was also attributed to the manufacturing sector, with several mobile manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers, and original design manufacturers setting up shop in the state. "Following the implementation of Telangana's e-waste policy, the state has seen significant success in e-waste processing. The initiative attracted many investors keen on establishing recycling facilities. Recently, we granted approval for three additional recycling plants, supplementing the current network of 19 operational facilities," said a senior environment engineer in TGPCB. The environment ministry said that an online E-Waste EPR portal has been developed by CPCB, wherein entities such as producers, manufacturers, recyclers, and refurbishers of e-waste are required to register. To increase consumer participation in e-waste management, the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, mandate registered producers and recyclers to raise awareness. Consumers are regularly made aware of proper ways of e-waste disposal and are encouraged to hand over e-waste only to registered producers, refurbishers, or recyclers.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Uncertain of e-waste volume, Punjab starts statewide audit of sources
Chandigarh: To clamp down on and track electronic waste, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has launched a statewide mapping exercise to identify and catalogue all e-waste sources. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The initiative aims to compile a comprehensive inventory of bulk consumers, repair and dismantling units, authorised recyclers, and informal sector operators across Punjab. Electronic waste includes discarded electrical and electronic equipment—from refrigerators and washing machines to computers, mobile phones, televisions, and small appliances. Proper disposal is vital to protect public health and environment: it prevents the release of toxic substances such as lead, cadmium, and mercury into soil and water, and conserves valuable resources. In contrast, uncontrolled dumping or informal dismantling can contaminate ecosystems, harm human health, and contribute to resource depletion. At present, PPCB only receives data from industrial sources that voluntarily report their e-waste figures. Information from the informal sector and smaller generators remains largely unknown. With e-waste emerging as one of the fastest-growing waste streams, regulators see this inventory as essential to bringing unmonitored actors under formal oversight. PPCB senior officer Parveen Saluja, who oversees e-waste management, said they were in the process of engaging experienced consultants to conduct a comprehensive statewide survey on e-waste. An expression of interest (EoI) has been invited for this purpose. The survey will cover a wide range of stakeholders, including bulk consumers, service centres, repair shops, collection points, informal dismantlers, recyclers, and others involved in the e-waste ecosystem. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The selected agency will be responsible for collecting field data, compiling records, and delivering detailed reports, which will guide the state in formulating robust strategies for e-waste collection, recycling, and safe disposal. PPCB officials added the findings from this exercise will form the backbone of a state action plan on e-waste, enhance compliance monitoring, and curb illegal handling and disposal practices. They also emphasised the importance of raising awareness among consumers and informal sector workers about the hazards of improper e-waste disposal—an effort they believe will promote more responsible and sustainable practices across the board. By combining data-driven governance with grassroots engagement, Punjab hopes to establish a cleaner, more sustainable framework for managing its burgeoning e-waste challenge. BOXES Responsible handling a must Under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, every stakeholder in the e-waste lifecycle bears specific obligations to ensure responsible handling and recycling. These rules apply to all electrical and electronic equipment listed in Schedule I—along with their components and spares—and cover producers, manufacturers, importers, refurbishers, collection centres, recyclers, and bulk consumers. Rules for producers, manufacturers Producers and manufacturers must register with the Punjab Pollution Control Board, establish and finance collection systems, and guarantee environmentally sound take-back, recycling, or disposal of their products under an extended producer responsibility (EPR) framework. Authorisation must for recyclers, dismantlers Recyclers and dismantlers are required to obtain authorisation, follow prescribed processes such as safe dismantling, shredding, and material separation, and maintain detailed records of all quantities handled. Bulk consumers—large offices, institutions, and similar organisations—must channel their end-of-life equipment exclusively to authorised collection points or recyclers. By embedding these obligations throughout the e-waste chain, the rules promote a circular economy, conserve valuable resources, and mitigate the environmental and health risks posed by toxic substances in discarded electronics. NEED FOR AUDIT Uncontrolled dumping or informal dismantling can contaminate ecosystems, harm human health, and contribute to resource depletion At present, PPCB only receives data from industrial sources that voluntarily report their e-waste figures Information from the informal sector and smaller generators remains largely unknown With e-waste emerging as one of the fastest-growing waste streams, regulators see this inventory as essential to bringing unmonitored actors under formal oversight
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India drafts solar waste rules as capacity crosses 100 GW, eyes 6 lakh tonne disposal by 2040
New Delhi: India is projected to generate over 34,600 tonnes of solar photovoltaic (PV) waste by 2030, according to draft guidelines released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which has proposed a detailed framework for handling end-of-life solar modules, panels, and cells. The draft guidelines titled 'Safe Handling and Disposal of Solar Photovoltaic Modules, Panels, and Cells', released on May 30, 2025, outline roles and responsibilities of manufacturers, bulk consumers, dismantlers, and recyclers under the existing E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022. According to the CPCB, India had installed over 73 GW of solar capacity as of March 2023, and the country's cumulative PV waste generation is expected to increase significantly from approximately 100 tonnes in 2020 to 600,000 tonnes by 2040. The waste volume is estimated to reach 34,600 tonnes by 2030. The guidelines state, 'Solar PV waste consists of various materials such as glass, aluminum, silicon, plastics and heavy metals like lead, cadmium and antimony. Improper handling or disposal can pose serious risks to human health and the environment.' Under the proposed rules, producers and bulk consumers must ensure end-of-life management of solar equipment. They are required to channel waste only through registered dismantlers and recyclers. The CPCB has emphasized that Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) will apply to producers involved in manufacturing, importing, or selling solar PV modules or panels in India. 'Producers shall register on the CPCB's EPR portal and provide yearly returns on the quantity of solar PV modules placed in the market and quantity of waste collected and recycled,' the draft notes. The draft guidelines also include provisions for setting up collection centers or take-back systems by producers to facilitate the return of used modules. Bulk consumers, including government institutions and large industrial users, will also be required to store PV waste in a safe manner and hand over the waste only to authorized dismantlers. For dismantlers and recyclers, the guidelines propose technical standards for dismantling operations, storage infrastructure, leachate control, and record-keeping. Recycling units must obtain consent to operate under the Water and Air Acts and must maintain an online record of the quantity and type of PV waste processed. The CPCB has called for public comments on the draft by June 29, 2025. It said that after finalisation, the document will serve as an advisory framework to be adopted by various stakeholders for effective end-of-life management of solar PV systems. India's solar waste volume is projected to grow due to the rapid acceleration in solar installations under the National Solar Mission and increasing uptake of rooftop solar in the residential and commercial sectors. However, in the absence of a dedicated PV waste management regulation, most of the decommissioned panels are either stored or discarded without scientific processing. In a statement, the CPCB noted, 'The guidelines are intended to minimise environmental and health hazards by ensuring the environmentally sound management of end-of-life solar PV equipment in India.' The draft also suggests capacity-building initiatives and the development of recycling infrastructure across states. It encourages research institutions and startups to develop technologies for recovering valuable materials like silver, copper, and rare metals from end-of-life modules. The guidelines mention that solar modules generally have a lifespan of 25 years, but early failures and damage due to transport, natural disasters, or manufacturing defects can lead to premature disposal. In such cases, improper handling without formal processing systems can lead to pollution from heavy metals and toxic chemicals leaching into soil and water bodies. With the cumulative installed solar capacity projected to exceed 292 GW by 2030 under India's renewable energy targets, the CPCB has underscored the urgency of implementing standardised waste management practices.>
