The Hindu Business Line : E-waste stockpile sets alarm bells ringing

E-waste can be managed on the pattern of paper disposal in big cities. To begin with, big and hard plastic dustbins or trolleys can be placed in every industrial unit.

Huge reservoir of dust adda may be erected in each industrial complex. Daily cleaning of addas may be arranged as is being done by municipalities in big cities. Initially, rag pickers can be employed to pick up e-waste from the units and deposit them in addas for which they can be paid. In course of time, separate bins can be allotted for collecting different kind of wastes. Tenders can be floated to choose recycling agencies by each industry.

The agencies that are selected must be made responsible for the collection of e-waste. Incentives can be offered by recycling agencies to the units, as they contribute waste for their production process.

State governments should arrange for inspection of the bins and addas to avoid disposal of dangerous chemicals. Civic authorities can consider levying environmental cess for the industrial units to make the scheme viable. Industrial units must be encouraged to adopt traffic circles, parks and other public places to ensure cleanliness. Thus, public-private partnership is the best way to deal with e-waste proliferation.

T. S. Sundareswaran, New Delhi

Though the pollution caused by e-waste is on the rise, we sadly turn a blind eye to the problem. Although appropriate laws and stiff punishments are needed, the hardware companies and the end-users must play a larger role. There are many options available for handling and recycling e-wastes. Sufficient publicity and awareness should be created on the issue. Resale of electronic devices should also be encouraged to tackle e-waste. Krithivasan, e-mail

India has been generating tonnes of e-waste due to the high penetration of electronic items. With the rise in the disposable income of the people, the volume of e-waste is bound to go up. In the given situation, disposing the hazardous toxic materials without any damage to the environment becomes a challenge.

The Government must enact laws to encourage the electronic industry to produce eco-friendly models and set up recycling facilities. The IT, ITES and mobile companies should be persuaded to set up such units on their own. The products should have clear markings so that they can be segregated before disposal.

The practice of dumping the discarded electronic goods along with the municipal wastes must be stopped.

The pollution control boards should issue detailed guidelines and educate the industry as well as the public on the importance managing the e-waste.

S. Nallasivan, Tirunelveli

Response to the Sticklish Issues dated December 10 on gas leaks

A strong odour spread in Chennai recently that resulted in eye irritation for many residents living near some industrial units. It was due to cleaning process undertaken by few units belonging to the area.

Following this, another tragedy occurred at a car manufacturing plant near Chennai where four persons were killed due to asphyxiation

Accidents mostly occur when the safety rules are not adhered to. While industrial units spend a lot in setting up plants, they don't bother much about the safety aspects of the employees and the environmental hazards.

The industrial units that pose danger to the lives of people should be strictly monitored. Authorities who are responsible for issuing licence to the industrial units must ensure that the units meet all the safety norms. Moreover, the existing laws must be revised to accommodate new technologies that are being adopted by the industrial units.

S. Nallasivan, Tirunelveli

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