Computer Waste Hard to Ware Out
by Sangeet Kumar, New Delhi
11 March 2003 –
An estimated 1,050 tonnes of computer hardware-related scrap (e-waste) is generated every year in the country, a significant part of which finds its way to the markets of Delhi. Not only are the lives of those involved in dismantling e-wastes at risk, even the environment is at stake.
These facts are part of a report being compiled by Delhi-based NGO, Toxic Links, after over a year’s study.
Turkman Gate, Mayapuri, Lajpat Nagar, Old Seelampur and Mandawali are the areas where dismantling and recycling of computer hardware takes place, say NGO workers. The monitor, CPU, circuit board, printer, floppy drive, capacitors and all other parts that make up the computer are dismantled. Some of them are melted to retrieve the metal. Others are simply sold off as scrap.
Most of this is done with bare hands. ‘‘While dismantling a computer is dangerous, burning PVC coated wires and dismantling circuit boards is the most hazardous,’’ says an activist involved in the compilation of the report, titled Scrapping the Hi-Tech Myth — Computer waste in India. The circuit board contains many toxic substances such as lead and mercury and their recycling may cause contamination of ground water, NGO workers say.
A large amount of electronic scrap is also being imported from developed countries, add activists. ‘‘Most of the electronic waste coming into India is guised as second-hand computers,’’ says Papiya Sarkar of Toxic Links. About 30 metric tonnes of e-waste had landed at the Ahmedabad port last year. Said Toxic Links director Ravi Agarwal: ‘‘Last year, cellphone manufacturers around the world agreed to make their products environment friendly. It is high time the personal computer and component manufacturers do the same.’’
What may be difficult to stop this is the monetary incentive of the trade. In Delhi alone, there are about 40 large e-scrap dealers. A trader could buy a PC with colour monitor for Rs 500-Rs 700 but could get around Rs 2000-Rs 4000 by selling the parts and the metal, says the report. Almost every component of a PC is disposed of by recycling, what is left is ash and residues from charred IC chips and condensers.
In such a scenario, it is important to strictly monitor imports, say experts. Says Dilip Biswas, chairman of Central Pollution Control Board: ‘‘We have asked the Environment Ministry to make it mandatory for importers to register used electronic items they may be importing.’’ There is a need to educate dealers about environment-friendly ways to recycle e-waste.
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