Survey shows Indians hoard unused electronic devices or 'e-waste'

As many as 50 percent Indians may be hoarding at least two unused electrical or electronic devices constituting hazardous e-waste for up to five years, a survey has revealed.

The survey, conducted by Cerebra Green and MAIT, said that another 30 percent kept 3-4 articles whereas 20 percent hoarded five or more unused e-waste devices for several years, thereby increasing the possibility of their incorrect disposal.

However, eight out of 10 Indians are aware of e-waste and the importance of special measures to dispose of it properly, but they do not use the right methods owing to lack of proper avenues for disposal, said Cerebra Integrated Technologies Managing Director V. Ranganathan.

Around 68 percent participants in the survey said that they did not consider local waste collectors as a viable option to dispose of e-waste, a view which was supported by the waste collectors themselves as 72 percent of them don't collect e-waste in their areas.

"This forces 90 percent of the people to dispose of their e-waste either through local electronics vendors or online exchanges," Ranganathan said.

Presently, he said, India's e-waste output is estimated to touch a staggering three million tonnes by December 2018, which would need effective, safe and environment-friendly disposal.

While industries generate 70 percent of the e-waste, households contribute 15 percent and the rest comprises discarded 'end of life' electrical and electronic equipment (EEEs).

Cerebra Green has now tied up with Manufacturers Associations of Information and Technology (MAIT), Ministry of Electronics and IT and the Ministry of Environment to launch an 'India Cleanup Week' (October 13-19), which could be the biggest initiative of its kind for proper disposal of e-waste.

E-waste comprising EEEs will be collected from homes by collection officers. Public collection centers will be opened for people to deposit their e-waste while pick-up trucks will be deployed for big establishments across major cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad.