78% of e-waste not disposed off by the government: Report

Out of the total 10,14,961.21 tonne (t) generated in 2019-20, only 22.7% of the e-waste was collected, dismantled, and recycled or disposed off, says a government report. This e-waste is comprised of 21 types of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) notified under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016. The E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 extend the responsibility to producers to manage a system of e-waste collection, storage, transportation, and environmentally sound dismantling and recycling through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) authorisation. The rules also promote and encourage the establishment of an efficient e-waste collection mechanism. The data shows that not even 25% of the e-waste generated is being managed properly. Experts say that like untreated solid waste, e-waste must be getting dumped in open spaces and water bodies.