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Now, makers to collect expired e-products

All manufacturers and importers of electronic items, including TVs, computers and mobile phones will have to put in place an elaborate network of waste-collection centres by May next year.

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All manufacturers and importers of electronic items, including TVs, computers and mobile phones will have to put in place an elaborate network of waste-collection centres by May next year.

The ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) has notified a new set of “producer responsibility” rules that will come into effect from May 1 next year that makes producers and importers responsible for collecting their product at ‘end of life.’

In addition to setting up a network of electronic waste collection centres or ‘take back service’, electronic brands will also have to introduce a new system of labelling and spread awareness to prevent the public from throwing electronic goods in the garbage bin.

The new rules, called the ‘e-waste Management and Handling Rules of 2011, also require manufacturers to stop producing or importing electronic items that contain hazardous materials, such as lead, mercury, cadmium etc. at higher concentration than 1 mg per kg.

Companies will have to maintain a record of the e-waste collected by them and submit them to government agencies at regular intervals. Companies are, however, allowed to set up such ‘take back’ centres jointly, under the aegis of an industry association or hire other companies to do so.

“The rule ensures a transition from the current out-of-sight out-of-mind approach to proper recycling of e-wastes and in the process accelerating the commercial introduction of green electronic products in the market,” said Abhishek Pratap, Senior Campaigner, Greenpeace India.

He pointed out that his own organisation and others like Toxicslink and the Manufacturer’s Association of Information Technology (MAIT) have been working on getting such a system in place for several years.

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