Maharashtra Govt to enact law to check e-waste

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Government is planning to enact a law to check electronic waste (e-waste), in the backdrop of reports that nearly 50,000 tonne of it is generated in Mumbai-Pune belt annually.

"We are considering various factors like stakeholders, treatment facilities and implementation before finalising on the draft guidelines," an official said.

Environment department is preparing a draft Bill with the help of officials from Urban Development and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), he said.

Substantial e-waste is believed to be dumped in India and other BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India and China) by European countries and the US, he said.

It has been observed that urban areas have been generating a lot of electronic waste which is hazardous for health as well as environment, he said. Lead and metal pieces from the waste are mixed with landfill and groundwater.

E-waste largely consists of any broken or unwanted electrical or electronic appliance, most of which contain components that are considered toxic and non-biodegradable.