Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Monday, Dec 09, 2002
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Monday, Dec 09, 2002 |
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Industry & Economy
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Environment Awareness drive on e-waste in January Our Bureau
BANGALORE, Dec. 8 ELECTRONIC waste is the new focus of an environmental campaign planned by two Bangalore-based organisations. Project Agastya and the Environment & Health Foundation would launch an awareness drive on the increasing electronic waste or discarded computer and other electronic hardware on January 4. The campaign will coincide with a roundtable and will work towards an efficient policy to manage e-waste, according to the organisers. This will be followed by a study and a plan of action during a two-day conclave in Bangalore in June 2003. E-waste or junked computer hardware and related equipment, with loads of toxic chemicals such as arsenic, according to them, has been proliferating in recent years in all user sectors such as manufacturing, services and homes. It affects soil, groundwater and water bodies the most. The project would study its potential threat to the environment and promote eco-friendly practices among users. It would also help regulators to access a referral source and develop effective policies to tackle the problem, according to Project Agastya CEO, Mr Rajeev Kumar. An estimated 14 to 20 million computers are scrapped each year and 10-15 per cent of them reused, while another 15 per cent end up in landfills and the rest are stockpiled by users, according to a 1998 study. A 1997 study by Carnegie Mellon University predicts that in 2005, about 55 million computers will end up in landfills while nearly 150 million computers will be recycled. Recycling and reuse of the waste is not economically feasible. They need huge investments and also lack the infrastructure. The issue of e-waste calls for a policy intervention, he said. The project beginning next month will target the public, industry and policy makers. It will involve educational and research institutions, the State Ministries of Education and Environment; water resources, civic authorities, the electronic industry, besides domestic and commercial users.
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