International
Conference on Heavy Metals and E-waste
DAY1
Welcome and special
address: Ravi agrawal, Director, Toxics Link
Products
and chemicals of everyday use are often taken for granted but exposure to these
have toxic effect on us. Lead and mercury particularly large impacts on IQs,
shift of average IQ downwards as early as 6-7 years. They have grave impacts on
our health and environment. If we need to become world leader we need involve
in what constitutes world leadership. We need not wait for next 50 years to
talk about sustainable development because these chemicals are quite easy to
substitute and can be replaced as recognized internationally also.
Opening Address: Mr.
Rob Donkers, eu
We
are surrounded by chemicals which have alarmingly high levels of effects on our
health. Various legislations on waste in EU don’t fit into Indian context but
have policy level significance. Many corporate are complying to environmental
laws and caps under their CSR program. Internationally the policy is to tackle
substance by substance as some are more dangerous than others. If producers and
users want to continue use of chemicals then they have to come with evidence
that they can do it safely and set procedure for the same and prove that there
are no alternatives for it. Driving EU policy is a "better safe than
sorry" philosophy called the precautionary principle. Following that
guideline, which is codified into EU law, European regulators have taken action
against chemicals even when their dangers remain largely uncertain. The task of
management of waste is too huge and cannot be undertaken by the government
alone.
Vote of thanks:
satish sinha, associate director, toxics link
The
question that faces us is that what mechanisms do we use and how to implement
them should we replicate it from Europe. Extended producer responsibility on
products is one such an issues which have been effectively implemented in EU
and need to be addressed in India. They are far beyond our comprehension as waste
generated in India is phenomenal and there seems no way of dealing with it. Toxic
Link has been working on mercury for 5 years. We worked with schools, hospitals
and offices and many of them had heard about it first time. They did a tremendous job collecting it but
don’t know what to do with it. When we launched lead study on 10 developing
countries, some countries decided to phase out lead, it became a USP for them
to sell lead free paints. And people actually went for these paints this is how
consumers can be influenced. If they are aware they can make an informed choice
even if it means spending a little more.
Discussion:
Observation
the case of heavy metals is something like plastic. Plastic themselves are not
bad but plastic bags got a bad a name because of our inability to control their
use. If humanity has come so far in using these chemicals then we don’t
necessarily have to say no to them such as the likes of pharmaceuticals. First
we need to know which of these are toxic, exposure and handling. Till we have toxic
data we cannot protect our workers we need to provide them with training to
handle them safely. Extended producer responsibility is the need of the hour including
making design changes, setting on points. They need to make voluntary changes
which will have cost implications. Awareness on part of consumers can also push
the industries apart from this we need a policy framework. Industries need to
be involved in framing these policies at the early stages.
Technical session 1: mercury: achievement and challenges
Session chair: Dr. A.A.Sengupta, who
Mercury: global
achievements and challenges: elena lymberidi, european environmental bureau
Over the past 150 years there has been 3 fold increase of Hg globally. Use of mercury has been made in
Occupational/Local, Religious/Cultural, Dental Mercury, Vaccines, Skin
Lightening Cream. The sources of mercury have been identified as Coal
combustion, Chlor alkali facilities, Incineration of wastes, Mining, product discards
and mercury waste piles. Restrictions of mercury use
in products are taking place also in other countries around the world. UNEP Agreed on Global mercury policy
framework identifying the basic elements necessary for comprehensive action on
mercury. The advantages of such
a treaty would include Controlled supply and eliminate global mercury trade,
minimize international trade law conflicts, Substantial global coordination and
a level playing field, Prohibit new undesired activities, Elevate the
importance, facilitate implementation of relevant national legislation in
developing countries. But the challenges faced would entail addressing measures
to effect reductions of mercury supply, demand and emissions in a timely
manner, technical and financial
assistance, and mechanisms addressing compliance for a successful treaty, ensure
participation of developing countries and countries with economies in transition,
during the negotiations and implementation of the treaty.
Mercury movement in
healthcare: dr. Kathy mckeehan, hiht, dehradun
Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust is a multi
specialty hospital on the foothills of Himalaya covering a 1000 villages
through its rural development program.
The
main focus was on making Blood Pressure
Instruments, Thermometers and Dental Amalgams as mercury free. This was done
through research, market assessment, putting the validation process in place,
determining cost, writing proposal, setting up implementation team and giving,
In-service Education to All Faculty, Staff, and Students, and finally reaching
out for grants verification process and planning for storage facility. What is
required on part of the government is: Duty Taxes Be Relaxed on all Non-mercury
Blood Pressure & temperature instruments that are approved by at least one
of the 3 International Approving
Agencies, A Heavy Tax Be Placed on All Mercury Instruments and Non-approved
Non-mercury Instruments (made inside or outside India), Work More Closely with WHO, UNEP, TOXICS
Link and HEALTH CARE WITHOUT HARM to Assist in Formalizing a Working Committee
on Hypertension in India, Meetings be Focused on two dimensions regarding
“Mercury in Health Care “: a) Awareness b) Problems of Implementation, i.e.
securing Approved, Verifiable Instruments, and Storage of Mercury Instruments.
Fishing toxics: a
study on mercury contamination of fish in west Bengal: mr. shantanu, disha,
west Bengal
Mercury
is one of the most dangerous environmental pollutants, both in its elemental
form and in chemical combination. When mercury is released into the environment
it gets transformed into methyl mercury through microbial action. It
bioaccumulates in fish and enters the human body when the fish is eaten. But the
health effects of mercury exposure depend upon the route, amount, and duration
of exposure, as well as the person's age and health. Research has indicated that methylmercury has
adverse effects on intelligence and mental stability.
The study tried to quantify
and assess the level of mercury in fish and crustaceans collected from Water bodies
in selected areas from different parts of West Bengal, 5 prominent markets in
Kolkata; to try and arrive at a reasonable conclusion regarding the nature and
extent of mercury contamination of fish, on the basis of analyzing the results
from the Laboratory; to make a risk assessment of mercury contaminated fish
intake on the basis of detected contamination levels; and to suggest
recommendations on the basis of the above results and analysis thereof. The results show that in the two scenarios: A total of 264 samples spread over 56 fish
and crustacean varieties were taken. It was obvious that large numbers of
people, particularly women and children, are being exposed to unhealthy doses
of methylmercury.The
need of the hour is to launch a full-scale investigation. And on the basis of the results it is
necessary for governments to try and formulate fish advisories, which highlight
the most contaminated species and advise quantities of intake, particularly for
the most susceptible population, pregnant women and children. What is also
required is that the Indian medical community wake up to the need of including environmental
medicine into their discourse of diagnostics and therapy. Once the sources are
identified efforts must be made to cut down on pollution so as to bring mercury
pollution down to safe levels. Pending this long term solution, and drawing
upon thoroughgoing studies of mercury contamination in fish, fish advisories
should be prepared by the concerned authorities instructing citizens about
relatively safe and unsafe species and fish sources. Mercury and other
pollutants of similar severity should become an important item in civil society
initiatives.
Thermal power
plants: a major culprit for the mercury emission in India: Dr. Ragini kumairi,
Toxics link
India is 3rd largest hard coal producer after China
and USA. About 70% of the heat
and electricity production in India depends on indigenous coal. Concentration
of Hg in Coal varies from region to region and type of coal as well. Power generation is one important source of pollutants such
as mercury, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and fine particulate matter that
can affect the respiratory, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems and
cause pregnancy complications. Greater emissions from power plants and other
industries in the past century have increased the amount of environmental
mercury; because mercury does not break down easily into less harmful
substances, it remains hazardous indefinitely. Heavy metals like Mercury is
released by power plants into the air and settles into water, where
microorganisms convert it into methylmercury, a toxin that accumulates in fish,
shellfish, and animals that eat fish.
Shift towards
membrane in chlor-akali industry-cost: mr. y.r. singh, Executive Director, AMAI, India
GLOBAL industry is $ 48 BILLION while INDIAN Chlor
Alkali $ 1.8 BILLION. Only 7% of Indian Capacity is based on Mercury Cell,
which too, will be phased out by 2012, as per CREP Directive. Total Mercury Recovered by Chlor-Alkali
units in India from March 2003 till date is 347 MT. Mercury recovered by
operating Mercury Cell units was utilized in the plant, thereby reducing their
Mercury purchases and Imports of Mercury. Mercury recovered at the time of
conversion has been disposed off / sold as per the Rules. During
25th session of the governing Council of the United Nations environment program
held on 16-20 Feb, 2009 at Nairobi, a global legal binding instrument on
Mercury was announced and agreed. This could include both binding and voluntary
approaches. Committee will start its work in 2010 with a goal of completing
this document by 2013.
discussion
The
consumption
of fish is by far the most significant source of ingestion-related
mercury exposure in humans, although plants and livestock also contain mercury
due to bioaccumulation of mercury from soil, water and
atmosphere, and due to biomagnification by ingesting other
mercury-containing organisms. Because fish and shellfish have a natural
tendency to store methylmercury in their organs, they are the leading source of
mercury ingestion for humans.
The government should immediately ban or
restrict, through certain fiscal disincentives for the usage of elemental
mercury and mercury compounds and provide incentives for those using mercury
alternatives. In cases of uncontrolled disposal of mercury-containing products
or wastes, possible reductions in releases from such practices might be
achieved by making these practices illegal and by enhancing access to hazardous
waste disposal facilities. Many countries have made it binding on manufacturers
to collect discarded gadgets containing hazardous material. India should
emulate their example. Further, healthcare outlets should be sensitised about
the need for segregating hazardous chemical waste form biomedical and other
litter, for suitable disposal
There are various alternatives available for
such as for Product or application chlor-alkali industry, Membrane technology
which does have Higher investment costs for conversion but lower
operational, waste treatment and disposal costs. In case of Pressure measuring and control equipment, pressure
gauges, switches and transmitters, mercury can be substituted using flexible
membrane, piezoelectric crystals and fibre-optic pressure sensors, in
barometers and manometers, mercury can be replaced by other liquids or
gases Electrical and electronic instruments are slightly more expensive but
alternatives based on gas, other liquids or mechanical spring show no
significant price difference.
Energy,
power, health all need a balanced strategy that is changes, repercussions would
it bring, cost implications, producer and consumer willingness and the effects
of the substitutes used. Global pollutants require global action. No one country can solve it. Developing countries need assistance in
reducing chemical use and emissions and s comprehensive and effective treaty will be needed.
Technical session
2: lead: usage and impact
Session chair: Mr.
Taneja, max hospital, delhi
Lead in paints:
global study: mr. prashant rajankar, toxics link
Paints
in general are differentiated into decorative or architectural paints and
industrial paints. Lead is also used to make paints more durable and corrosion
resistant. Repeated studies have concluded that lead paint is a significant
source of lead poisoning. It can cause Learning disabilities,
Neuropsychological deficits, Hyperactive behavior, Encephalopathy (brain
swelling) Coma, Brain damage, Academic failure, Attention deficit disorder,
Antisocial (criminal) behavior, Major organ failure and even Death. There is an
urgent need to determine the lead content of paints in other countries to
document the need worldwide for a ban on its continued use. Considering the
dangerous effects of lead on human health several countries enacted laws to
regulate the lead concentrations in paints. Overall 317 paint samples, which
included 232 enamel samples, 78 plastic samples and 7 varnish samples, were
analysed for total lead concentrations. Taking all samples together 53 % samples
were found to have lead concentrations more than 90 ppm while 50 % samples had
lead concentrations more than 600 ppm. The recommendations that came out of the
study are developing a programme to determine the source of lead contamination
of household dust, setting guidelines to reduce exposure to lead while removing
old paints or recoating with new ones, mass campaign to educate and make people
aware of the hazards associated with lead, using lead-free paint symbol on
products, as well as guidelines for use including for home decorative or
industrial and commercial.
Lead and health: dr.
anupam sachdev, Indian acaemy of pediatrics
The
World Health Organization estimates that 15-18 million children in developing
countries are suffering from permanent brain damage due to lead poisoning. Lead
is not biodegradable. It persists in the soil, in the air, in drinking water,
and in homes. It crosses all social, economical and geographical lines. World-wide,
six sources appear to account for most lead exposure: gasoline additives; food
can soldering; lead-based paints; ceramic glazes; drinking water systems; and
cosmetic and folk remedies. Other
significant exposures result from inadequately controlled industrial emissions
from such operations as lead smelters and battery recycling plants. It never
disappears, it only accumulates where it is deposited and can poison
generations of children and adults unless properly removed. At high levels, lead poisoning causes coma,
convulsions and death. At low levels - levels far below those that present
obvious symptoms - lead poisoning in childhood causes reductions in IQ and
attention span, reading and learning disabilities, hyperactivity, impaired
growth, behavioral problems, and hearing loss. These effects are long-term and
may be irreversible. Blood lead levels once considered safe are now considered
hazardous, with no known threshold. Lead poisoning is a wholly preventable
disease by eliminating exposure, educate, treating nutritional deficiencies, chelation therapy.
Toxicity of lead:
case study: mr. Rajeev ranjan sharma
Lead
poisoning in young children is a matter of grave concern which can cause
irreversible damage to the brain Abdominal
pain /colic, Anorexia, irritability & lethargy, Anemia, Ataxia and slurred
speech, Renal failure, Convulsions, coma and death due to generalized cerebral edema. Exposure can be Lead-painted
house, House dust, Lead pipes containing drinking water, Hand to mouth
activities of children, Toys, Glazed ceramics contaminating food and drinks, Jewellery,
Ayurvedic remedies, Holi colours, Manufacturing of Auto batteries, Ceramics,
Stained glass, Fishing weights, Paints, Bullets, Fire crackers. Exposure can
cause abdominal pain, Headache, Irritability, Joint pain, Fatigue, Anemia,
Peripheral motor neuropathy, Deficits in short term memory, Dyspepsia.
discussion:
Lead
in form or level is safe. There is lack of comparative data making it difficult
to suggest anything concrete but there is enough ambient sources for lead in
the air effects of which can be petrifying with introduction of alternatives
such as CNG, Benezine as impacts of these can only be seen 20-30 years down the
lane. Lead has an effect of long range transmission and it will be present in the
atmosphere. Lead a potent toxic was removed from gasoline or petrol in 2000 in
India but even the unleaded petrol has lead in small quantities of natural
origin.
Technical session
3: alternative and bottleneck
Session chair: ruma
tavaroth, environmental specialist (world bank) and dr. k.c.gupta, director
(ITRC)
Alternative
fillings: issues and future: prof. sangeeta talwar, maulana azad institute of
dental sceience
Past 25 yrs have
witnessed advances in alternate filling materials to Dental Amalgam. Today it
is very difficult to state which is the best restorative material. However
alternative materials have been in use since last 30 years during which more
biocompatible materials are now available. Amalgam still appears most cost
effective and longest lasting restorative material for posterior teeth. We
cannot assume that non Hg containing alternatives are free from any concerns
about adverse effects. Alternatives
to Mercury used in dental amalgam are Gold, silver, ceramic, porcelain,
polymers, composites, glass ionomers amalgam fillings while some of these are
less expensive and easy to apply, others are more expensive and difficult
to apply.Dental
amalgam is safe and indispensable in certain clinical situations; however it is
imperative that we take adequate precautions for Mercury Management.
Alternative to lead
in paint industry: mr. d. satpute, nerolac
Lead is a Heavy Metal which is used in paint or
coating as a pigment and drier affects Brain & Kidneys, Cardiovascular systems, Reproductive systems, can cause Seizures & mental retardation, , Neurological dysfunction, Gastro intestinal complaints. Consumer product safety commission (US) – Max 0.06% (600 ppm). Australia,
Canada, EU, Germany, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand – Not to be used.
Max. 0.1 % as impurities. EPA, OSHA have even set limits of Lead content in
Ambient Air, Soil & water. The Indian paint industry has taken various initiatives such as increased
media coverage, awareness campaign, regulations on Lead Usage, use of Safe & Viable alternative to Lead, involving Government & Health Authorities. The various
steps which can be taken at home only Get young children tested for lead, Wash children's hands, bottles,
pacifiers, and toys often, Make sure children eat healthy, low-fat foods, Regularly
clean floors, window sills, and other surfaces, Wipe soil off shoes before
entering house, Take precautions to avoid exposure to lead dust when remodelling
or renovating, not use a dry scraper, or dry sandpaper on painted surfaces that
may contain lead.
Discussion:
Scientists agree that dental amalgam
fillings leach mercury into the mouth, but different studies have concluded
that this exposure may be as low as 1-3 µg/day (FDA), or as high as
27 µg/day. The effect of this exposure is disputed and currently dental
amalgam is approved for use in most countries. Better dental health overall
coupled with increased demand for more modern alternatives such as resin
composite filling, as well as public concern about the mercury content of
dental amalgam, have resulted in a steady decline in dental amalgam in
developed countries, though overall amalgam use continues to rise worldwide.
Given its superior strength, durability and long life relative to the more
expensive composite fillings, it will likely be around for many more years to
come. The WHO reports that mercury from amalgam and laboratory devices accounts
for 53% of total mercury emissions, and that one-third of the mercury in the
sewage system comes from dental amalgam flushed down the drain. The
environmental pollution
of mercury imposes health risks upon the surrounding population; in economics
this pollution is considered an external cost
not factored into the private costs of using dental amalgam. The approach which is required is
prevention; concern on how to preserve tooth so as we require less of filling. Whenever
a filling is there some sort of adverse effect is bound to be there.
Substitutes
for lead pigments and technologies are available and are being used by some manufacturers,
which do not need to use lead to produce high-quality paint. The increase in
cost resulting from the substitution is relatively small and cannot be compared
with the harm caused to human beings due to continued exposure to lead. Some
colours of paint have higher concentration of lead such as yellow and orange
and they can be avoided. There is optimism about regulating lead content in
paints among the industry. The problem is that it costs some money and so
companies do not spend until pushed by regulations, or in this case by
environmental pressure. The mandatory standards are also necessary as only then
do companies get a level playing field because all of them have to comply. So,
the government has to step in and set regulations and then ensure that these
are enforced.
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DAY 2
Welcome
and opening remarks: Mr. Ravi Agarwal, Director, Toxics Link
There
is growing talk about issues around fresh technology specially those concerning
new emerging waste streams globally, which relate to new lifestyles and
investment in technology. Waste emerging out of technology has significantly
large hazardous effect and solutions can’t be just on the recovery side that is
collection and recycling but it has to be a composite package beginning from
the beginning of life cycle of the product. Collection is the most challenging
task and there exists different ways of collecting and recycling waste thereby
requiring huge investments towards local collections and employing cooperative
mechanism with the informal sector which does most of the latter. Thirdly it is
essential to address that a pure market mechanism would not be enough to handle
the problem but what is required is a regulatory framework involving all
stakeholders which means industries, civil society organizations, customers and
government.
Opening
Address: Dr. J Bischoff, Director, GTZ-ASEM
India
is pioneering in developing ways to manage the problem of e-waste. Annually
maximum E-waste is generated on account of only 3 element T.V, Computer and
Mobile. As per a GTZ-MAIT sponsored study conducted
recently by IMRB, e-waste generated in India during 2007 was around 332,979 MT
besides about 50,000 MT entering the country by way of imports. The reasons for
generation of this large quantity of e-waste were unprecedented growth of the IT
industry and the early product obsolescence due to continuous innovation. Thus
the net effect is the e-waste turning into a fastest growing waste stream. It
was observed that 94% of the organizations studied did not have any policy on
disposal of obsolete IT products/e-waste. 95% of the e-waste is
segregated, dismantled and recycled in the informal sector based in urban
slums. E-waste
generated in India will touch 4.7 lakh tonnes by 2011, according to MAIT-GTZ
study on e-waste assessment in the country. It is
essential that the electronics industry encourage reuse of obsolete electronics
items by refurbishing them and by providing service support. Further, a policy
on e-waste management is essential for industries. Government should develop an
inclusive model identifying and defining the roles of each stakeholder
industries, government, NGOs, consumers and manufacturers and the recyclers.
He emphasized on building a partnership with informal sector for recycling in
way which is less threatening to health and environment.
Opening
Address: B.P Shukla, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
The
CPCB is in the process of forming legislative framework in association with
MoEF for management of E-waste. This is because 90% of E-waste is still
recycled by informal sector and in crude and hazardous conditions. So our main
objective is to bring them into a formal network. Secondly our concern is
Extended producer responsibility so that producer himself is responsible.
Thirdly we need to focus on collection centres which must be easily accessible
for consumers and fourthly provide money back incentive to improve collection
and create awareness about of toxicity of E-waste. Apart from that we need to
prepare a national inventory on E-waste and possible substitutes of the toxic
substances in the EEE. The Guidelines for Environmentally Sound
Management of E-waste (henceforth, the CPCB’s Guideline) was finalized on 12
March 2008. The Guidelines aim to “provide guidance for identification of
various sources of waste electrical and electronic equipment (e-waste) and
prescribed procedures for handling e-waste in an environmentally sound manner”
and also are “reference document for the management, handling and disposal of
e-wastes”.
Special Address: Dr. Saroj, Director, MoEF
E-waste has come to the gamut of hazardous
waste. What is required is cooperation of all environmental NGOs with
government so that, we can get a concrete and final figure of e-waste generated
what kinds and how much is available for recycling. The figure projected
usually is the direct sale of the companies. We don’t throw away our EEE
immediately. It is reused, sold and resold and often just stored away. Collection centres are the heart of management
of E-waste. Unless we address it none of the recycling units and procedures
which are being proposed to be set up would be economically doable.
Registration of collection centre by the recyclers has already come into
process. There is a need for Public-private partnership model where the
informal sector is also brought into the network. MoEF appreciated the efforts
of all organizations which are devoted to management of E-Waste and each and
every tie up with informal sector would be welcomed and provided with registry.
Ministry has been giving permit for import and export of very selective
components of E-Waste because of insufficiency of recycling facilities. Another
concern of ours is about recycling regulation such that are at par with the
international scenario. We also need to be fully aware of countries which have
banned import and export of E-waste. And what kind of E-waste is imported by
developing countries?
vote of thanks: Mr. Satish Sinha, Associate Director,
Toxics Link
A country like India, so diverse has
inequitable distribution of EEE and waste. Quantum of waste for recycling may
be very low because of reuse, resell and storing. So we cannot assume that
whatever is produced is also available for recycling. We need to develop a sustainable
business purview which includes because waste is valuable and has immense
business opportunities which can be profitable. The problem may be global but
solutions have to be local. Now the main task is getting the right regulations
in place which are sustained by supportive and enabling enforcement mechanism.
The speaker thanked all members present and presenters and all have and will
share their view and experience.
Session
1: E-waste: Health and Environmental Issues
Chair:
Rajoo goel, Secretary General, ELCINA
E-waste
Overview: Finding Sustainable Solutions
speaker: priti Mahesh, senior programme officer, toxics link
E-waste
globally constitutes monitors (10%), televisions (10%), computers, telephones,
fax, printers etc (15%) constituting electronic waste and DVD/VCR players, CD
players, radios, hi-fi sets etc and Refrigerators (20%), washing machines,
dryers, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners, coffee machines, toasters, irons,
etc (30%) consisting of electric waste. 50
million tonnes of E-waste is generated globally of which more than 4 lakh tonnes of E-waste generated
in India- growing at 10-15% annually. Environmental impacts of EEE waste is
considerably high due to recycling which in India is done mostly by informal
sector in hazardous conditions including open burning, acid baths. Other
problems revolve around dumping of the remains in land and water bodies and Air
Pollution caused due to release of BFR, Lead, Mercury. Cross
contamination due to improper and unsafe recycling practices including
recycling of BRF containing plastics resulting in new products which have the
huge potential for contamination.
The global efforts and solutions
for India can be Waste
minimization, Refurbishment, Reuse and
Recycle, adoption of WEEE, RoHS, REACH,
implementation of regulations and policy to drive waste minimization and a
proper Legal Framework to address end of life management, establishment of
Extended Producer Responsibility principle and Strong Collection system. The
principle of Reuse, Refurbishment & Recycling is the need of the
hour which includes extending
the product’s useful life through refurbishment substantially reduces carbon
footprints, recovery of material and prevent release of toxins through integration of informal sector and establishing
safe recycling practices.
Assessment of exposure and effect on the health of
recyclers handling electronic waste (e-waste) in NCR, Delhi
About the speaker: Dr. Nitish K. Dogra, MD, MPH (USA), Assistant Professor
(Public Health), International Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR),
New Delhi, India
Summary of the study was that Environmental
monitoring studies need to be standardized, Careful correlation with biomarkers
e.g. Cu (high exposure but within limits biomarkers), Community ‘control’ must
be taken into account, Lead and chromium are ‘red-flags’, Possible early
pulmonary and neurological consequences, Social justice issue of elderly women
need to be addressed.
legislation and standards on e-waste in india; E-Waste Legislation
and Road Map
speaker: Mr. Anand Kumar, environmental engineer, central pollution
control board
The Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules,
2008 - e-waste categorized as a hazardous waste, Registration for all E-waste
recyclers and Transboundary Movement (export and import) of E-waste.
The Proposed Road
Map for better E-waste Management include:
Legislative
Measure such as Strengthening of Legislative Frame Work, Developing mechanism
to check Illegal import of the E-Waste, Making Legal Provisions for Extended
Producer Responsibility, Re-visiting import provisions in SEZ
Regulation, Regulating Charity
Goods, Banning Import of CRT,
Regulating Import based on longer usable life time, Assigning Responsibilities
to various stake holders
Administrative Measure such as Development of
mechanism for Collection of Waste Electrical Electronics Equipments (WEEE),
Involvement of Voluntary Organisation and Other Stake Holders, Launching
national Awareness Campaign, Strengthening Infrastructure of
Regulating Bodies including human
resources, Formation of Core Group at National and State Level, Surveillance of Goods at High Sea, Enforcement of RoHS compliance, Preventing
Dumping of used/old equipment
Technological
Measure such as International Practices
for Management of E-Waste, Sharing
of Information/Technology, Reduction
of hazardous substances in EEE, R & D Measures.
Informal sector in E-waste management: Challenges and
Opportunities
speaker: Wilma Rodrigues, SAAHAS
The informal sector accounts for 95% of e-Waste
recycling in India according to a Mait-GTZ Study in 2007. Its Services extend to households, institutions,
commercial establishments and companies.
Saahaa aims at moving towards zero waste
which mean employing the principle of REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE, REFUSE, RECOVER,
REPAIR, RESTORE, RECLAIM. It has worked with GTZ on household hazardous waste
and developed a thorough understanding of the flow of E-Waste in Bangalore. It
has worked in collaboration with the Indo-German-Swiss e-waste initiative and
Partnered with WeP Peripherals and E-Parisaraa. The Alternate business model of
the organization includes safe and efficient dismantling in controlled
unit, Re-sell on local market (Cu, Fe, Al, brass, plastic and reusable compounds),
Proper disposal in controlled landfill for non reusable material, Recovery of
precious metals (Au, Cu, Ag, Pd, Pt)
only in state-of-the-art smelters. It has registered groups (E-WaRDD and
Eco-bird) "for ensuring clean and healthy recycling of electronic waste
(e-waste)” from unorganised sector. These activities revolve around Collection
from households, networking with other informal sector members. Safe
dismantling, PCB sorting and upgrading, Export to International Smelters. The
organization assists them in business Plan and CFE. Its Clients includes likes
of Titan Industries, Manipal Hospital, Aricent Technologies, State Bank of
India, Rotary Club. It is looking for further support in areas of CPCB
Clearance, Assistance in marketing, Further Technological Support.
Session 2: Perspectives- Beyond India
Chair:
L. Ramakrishnan, Professor INDSEARCH
E-waste and
environmental justice in the global electronics industry
speaker: Ted Smith,
Founder, Silicon Valley
Toxics Coalition /
International Campaign for Responsible Technology
Electronics TakeBack Coalition
(formerly the Computer TakeBack Campaign) works on the principle of Take it back; Make it clean and Recycle
Responsibly. They have developed “green procurement” guidelines for universities and have organized
student volunteers to work on 12 campuses of the University of California.
International Campaign for Responsible
Technology (ICRT) is an
international solidarity network that promotes corporate and government
accountability in the global electronics industry. We are united by our concern
for the lifecycle impacts of this industry on health, the environment and
workers' rights.
The speaker gave an overview of the practices of electronic industries
globally and the problems of trashing of EEE waste in ASIA countries to be
dismantled under unsafe conditions. Nations are yet to develop a national
approach for handling the waste, which often contains toxic metals such as
lead, mercury and cadmium. He emphasized the importance of awareness and
activism among the consumers that is to simply have “THE RIGHT TO KNOW”. In
response to protests against use of prison labour for recycling and recycling
of e-waste in safe conditions many corporations like HP, DELL, APPLE and SONY
have positively responded by introducing take-back programs. The idea being “WHEN
CONSUMERS TALK, ELECTRONICS COMPANIES LISTEN!”
e-waste management
in sri lanka; issues and challenges
speaker: wilka ranasinghe, divisional environmental officer, central environmental
authority, srilanka
Internationally, the rapid advances of electrical
and electronic technology have created a rapid pace of electrical; and
electronic becoming obsolete and disposal of these items
is becoming more problematic. These used items are being exported to the
developing counties like Sri Lanka. There is a considerable demand for low cost versions and second hand commuters and other units in Sri Lanka due to
the fact that need Vs ability to pay. Many
of these imported items such as computers washing machines photocopiers possess
very short life spans thereby
increasing the Influx of e waste in to the general waste stream
In
line with the 6th Conference of Parties to the Basel convention as a party of
the conference Sri Lanka has paid attention mainly to Formulate new
legislations, Develop enforcement capacity and Develop infrastructure to handle
e waste in environmentally sound manner. The Policy objectives being:
- Prevent/
Minimize negative impacts to the environmental and health
- Promote
integrated e-waste management by looking at all phases of the life cycle
of the product
- Secure
Social Responsibility towards sustainable production, purchasing and
consumption
- Ensure waste
treatment and final disposal of e- waste in an environmentally sound
manner
The speaker also furthered the concept of introduction of
market base Instruments to manage E waste such as Environment Conservation Levy
bill on mobile phones introduced in sri lanka since 2008 which are a source of
funds for e-waste management.
E-waste expected to
be a big problem in Bangladesh
speaker: Siddika Sultan, Executive
Director, ESDO, Bangladesh
About
the organization: ESDO a non-profit
organization formed in 1990 is Bangladesh’s leading organization in capacity building
and policy intervention. It is committed to environmental justice and
governance, conservation and human development. It is dedicated to the cause of Awareness raising and advocacy, Community education,
Skills development - theoretical and practical activities, Research and
documentation, Policy intervention.
Electronic
discards are one of the fastest growing segments of our nation's waste stream. According BEMMA
consumption of electronics products in Bangladesh are 3.2million tons per
years.
Analyzing the primary data and information it prevail
that each year more than .5 million tons of electronic waste (it includes
e-waste from ‘ship breaking’ yard) generated in Bangladesh.
Within this amount of waste only 20 to 35%
are recycled and rest laid in to landfills, rivers, ponds, drains, lake,
cannels and open spaces. The process of
recycling in Bangladesh is very injurious and hazardous, there is no proper
waste management guideline or regulation and No specific law or ordinance for
e-waste management and recycling. But we have Bangladesh Environmental
Conservation Act.1995, The Environmental Court Act, 2000, and The Environmental
Conservation Rules, 1997. Bangladesh is a signatory of the Basel Convention
1989, so we need to such actions on e-waste as Understanding E-waste problem, providing
science based and applied recommendations for international policy-making,
jointly performing research & development projects and capacity building.
Session 3: Cleaning
the act
Chair: satish
sinha, associate director, toxics link
design for
environment for reduction of WEEE
speaker: Prof.
L. Ramakrishnan, FIEMA, C.Env., Distinguished Professor and Head, Indsearch Centre of Sustainability Management (i-cosm),
Indian Institute of Cost and Management
Studies and Research (INDSEARCH), Pune, India
Waste from EEE includes: a) Domestic Appliances –
Washing Machines, Refrigerators, Dishwashers, Mixer Grinders, Electrical Irons,
b) IT / ICT – Desk top and Lap top computers, Mobile Phones, c) Consumer Electronics
– Televisions, Music Systems, DVD Players. E-wastes: Contain over 1000
different substances many of which are toxic and potentially hazardous to
environment and human health (e.g.
lead, cadmium, mercury, polychlorinated bi-phenyls (PCBs), etched chemicals,
brominated flame retardants etc.) There is a need to facilitate the recovery
and/or reuse of useful materials from waste generated from a process and/or
from the use of any material thereby, reducing the wastes destined for final
disposal and to ensure the environmentally sound management of all materials.
The “high obsolescence rate” makes e-waste as one of the fastest growing waste
streams.
Product Life Cycle includes all aspects from the
beginning of the design, manufacture, supply, transport, use, End of life (EOL)
product and its journey to landfill or incinerator. EcoDesign (Design for
Environment) is a concept of product design that takes into consideration the
total environmental impact of the product throughout its life cycle, from raw materials,
through manufacturing, marketing, use and to disposal of the product, enabling
the design of products with lower environmental impacts. The Six Focal Areas of
Eco-Design include Firstly, reduction of Mass of the product through
less use of natural resources, less use of processing chemicals, less pollution
during processing, less waste during manufacturing, less packaging, less
transportation pollution. Secondly no Hazardous substances that means
products designed with no Cadmium ,PVC, braided wire, Chromium (VI), PBBE/PBB,
Lead, Mercury. Thirdly Design For Recycling meaning Use Mono materials,
Use Neat plastics / thermoplastics, Physical bonding / press fitting, Avoid
laminations/painting, Avoid insert moulding. Fourthly, Extended use of
resources and Lesser EOL waste per unit time. Fifthly, sustainable use of
energy resources and Sixthly reduction in Packaging mass.
dell takes strong
stand against exporting E-waste
speaker: anne
cheong, apj takeback compliance lead,
dell
As part of its
Environmental Responsibility DELL believes in green industry leadership that
involves Design for the environment, Chemical policy and use, Climate
protection, Product recovery and recycling and Sustainable operations and
programme. DELL’s lifecycle approach aims at
Sustainability throughout the Product Lifecycle encompassing Product concept
and design, Manufacturing and operations standards, Customer experience and
asset recovery and recycling. DELL has banned the export of non-working
electronics to developing countries as part of its global electronics
disposition policy. Dell expands bans to include all non-working parts or
devices, irrespective of material composition, aiming to help prevent the
unauthorized dumping in developing countries requiring that equipment be tested
and certified as “working” prior to export. No prison or child labor will be
used in the disposal of electronic waste; and every reasonable effort will be
made to control all electronic wastes and prevent it from entering landfills or
incinerators. The policy also reinforces that electronic waste processed by
Dell’s disposition chain is tracked and documented throughout the entire chain of
custody until final disposition. Dell Global Take Back Programs: It offers
Global Consumer Free & Convenient Recycling since 2006. It Reduced product packaging
by more than 9.5 million pounds and introduced Dell curbside recyclable product
packaging and become operationally
carbon neutral last year.
Life Cycle
Thinking in Environmental Sustainability
speaker: Pranshu Singhal, Head, Environmental Affairs, NOKIA
Some of the
sustainable solutions to problem WEEE as adopted by NOKIA are:
Behavioural Solutions; Device reminds to unplug the charger when battery’s
fully charged, Reduced power consumption by display save mode, optimized
brightness and energy efficient charger , Sustainable lifestyle with eco
applications such as concept phones Nokia 3110 Evolve, Eco-sensor and Nokia
Remade, Safe & sustainable materials and substances; Collection and
management of full material data of all products to ensure product safety and
environmental sustainability and, Smaller & smarter packaging;
Ecological footprint is being reduced by smaller & fewer guidebooks, smaller/no
chargers, recycled & more recyclable materials in the packaging.
Nokia conducted
Awareness Campaigns and arranged collection points which lead to collection of
over 3 tons of e-waste collected from 4 cities in 45 days, 68000 pieces of old
devices and accessories.
End-of-life
(EoL) management of Products requires Waste handling requirements to combine
global framework practices with local implementation and must include strong
Collection network and Infrastructure, State of the art Treatment & Recycling,
Other activities like Awareness raising through the whole value chain, Information
flows and responsibility sharing between producers, recyclers, authorization
agencies, collection centres.
Summary
of Discussion and Recommendation:
- Extended
producer responsibility: Restricting E-waste at the very on set of the
life cycle seems like the most effective mechanism making producers
responsible for designing, production and disposal in a way that the life
of products are extended, use of such value engineering. Companies must
have a take-back program with accessible collection centres and recycling
networks. In this context it is important to define who a producer is
within the purview of legislations.
- Problem of
grey market: There is huge Grey market in consumer electronics. The
question is how to make them and the free riders responsible? It is first
and foremost essential to regulate this grey market. It is important to
ensure that the grey market does not get supply of components of its
products from big manufacturers if they have to be controlled.
- Changing
technology/Short life of products: Technology is changing rapidly.
Recycling makes good sense as there is need to recover and refurbish but
incentives need to be provided. Companies instead of putting money into
new products, should ensure fixing of obsolete technology, service support
at the EOL and a take back policy.
- Avoid use of
hazardous substances: The use of components in EEE should be in compliance
with laws. Most companies are complying with these standards acc to their
CSR policy. Most of these components also have easily available
substitutes. This step is important to ensure least hazard while a
products life and even after it.
Some
of the recommendations that came out during the discussions included Developing
understanding and awareness of what constitutes e-waste and hazardous waste, Phasing out hazardous substances from EEE,
promulgating Eco-Design, Eco-labeling, Integration of informal
sector into the mainstream recycling industry, Establishment of Extended Producer Responsibility principle, Well
enforced Legal Framework to address end of life management, Inculcating
a behavioural change by emphasizing of Refurbishment,
Reuse and Recycling, Secure Social Responsibility towards sustainable
production, purchasing and consumption,
Introduction of concept of market base Instruments to manage E waste
such as Environment Conservation Levy bill, Strong Collection system, Ban on Import of E-waste, Re-checking import
provisions in SEZ Regulation, Regulating
Charity imports and Incentives
for infrastructure development within the country, Enforcement of RoHS
compliance, REACH, Encourage participation of the General public social
organizations NGOs, INGOs in the national level programme, Provide incentives
when returning waste e-items, Awareness raising through the whole value chain,
Information flows between producers, recyclers, authorization agencies,
collection centres.
Asia and Africa have become e-waste dumping
destination for developed countries.
India a signatory to Basel convention
has not yet ratified Basel ban. This is coupled with Lax environmental rules and costs,
Availability of cheap and trained labour in third world, relaxed SEZ-
import/export rules, secondary concern for safety and health in developing countries, transferring of burden,
Externalization of costs.
And
thus often it is difficult to get protection enforced in a way it is meant to
accomplish. The problem is endemic and
has various dimensions to it technological, legal, environmental and human
rights. We need strict liability laws and, polluter pay principle, strong
regulatory body and greater sensitization. Above all political commitment makes
the most difference.
Closing
address: Mr. Ravi Agarwal, Director, Toxics Link
The
day long session covered issues ranging from guidelines and legislation
frameworks, advancement of science and technology, impact of human lifestyles,
life cycle of products, problems and also sustainable solutions for E-waste
globally and nationally. We are today competing in a different kind technology
such as the likes of ‘chip technology’ especially in storage devices. We have
to remain prepared for many unknown challenges in the future. Suggestions are
invited for the Draft regulation on E-waste submitted to MoEF jointly by GTZ,
Toxics Link, Greenpeace which is uploaded on Toxics Link website.
Thanks
to all those who worked behind the scene to make this conference happen!


