Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 14 2021: National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT) Scientist-D, Thingom Imopishak has categorically stated that not taking up any initiative for safe disposal of e-waste in the State is rather unfortunate.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, the scientist continued that e-waste should be disposed of in a proper site as per the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, however, the same instruction is not yet followed in the State.
Saying that electronic items such as television, refrigerator, bulb, mobile phone, air conditioner, electric toys, washing machines etc., contain toxic substances/chemicals harmful to the environment as well as to the human, he added that the State's populace seems to be unaware about the chemicals present in the electronic items and the threat it poses when disposing of them.
Concern about this global waste challenge, E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 was introduced on 1st October 2016 in the country, he said and the guidelines for these rules were prepared from 2008 onwards.
As per the guidelines of the Ministry, broken electronic items when come into contact with water or kept at ground for a long duration releases chemicals which are harmful to both soil and human health, Imopishak added.
The scientist also said that NIELIT has been organising an awareness programme on the guidelines of E-Waste Management Rules 2016 since 2017 as a part of Digital India campaign.
He also appealed to all to keep electronic waste and food items in a separate place.
According to the above-mentioned guidelines of the Ministry, collection of e-waste should be done only by the body which is approved by the State Pollution Control Board and the mechanism for disposal should be arranged by the State Government, Imopishak said and added that items such as copper, silver, plastic, iron, etc, can be removed for recycling at the time of disposing.
E-waste generated from NIELIT is disposed of safely, he said and added that not taking up any measure for collecting and disposing e-waste in the State till now is rather unfortunate.
Saying that the volume of e-waste generated in a year is alarming, he appealed to the State Government to do the needful at the earliest.