JOIN USKSPCB's final chance to stakeholders to follow e-waste rules
The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has directed all bulk consumers, manufacturers, recyclers and dismantlers to comply with the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016, immediately.
A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting between KSPCB chairman Lakshman and officials of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Lakshman said it was the final chance for all to comply with the rules and warned violators of legal action.
The KSPCB has authorised 27 collection centres, 42 dismantlers, 24 recyclers and 14 recyclers-cum-dismantlers, and will publish the list on its website. The board noted that since the provision of individual collection centre no more exists in the 2016 rules, the authorisation given to such facilities will be deemed withdrawn and they must surrender their passbook and authorisation.
EPR-approved plan
All waste units must give the quantity of material they have received since April 1, 2016, along with its source and discontinuity from the generator side. Producers, for their part, are required to obtain the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) approved plan from the CPCB.
Manufactures, including those dealing with electric parts and electronic equipment, must get themselves registered. All bulk consumers must give their waste to authorised dismantlers or recyclers after making entry in the passbook issued by the KSPCB.
Plastic waste (10% to 12% of the total waste) generated during the processing of e-waste shall be handed over to registered recyclers under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. Other waste has to be classified into hazardous and other waste, and handed over to the actual user. All the non-recycled waste should be disposed to Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDF).
Transport of e-waste
The KSPCB also proposed to design vehicles for transport of e-waste as done in case of hazardous waste.
Dismantlers and recyclers should provide infrastructure as specified in the guidelines. Recyclers involved in the generation of effluents are required to operate with preliminary treatment plants as per the directions of the Supreme Court. If there are any violations, the KSPCB will issue them closure notices, Lakshman said. The KSPCB chief underscored that the area specification of 300 square metres per tonne of dismantling activity and 500 square metres per tonne for recyclers must be followed.
In case of non-availability of space, existing units must shift to different locations within six months. The board will not allow dismantlers or recyclers to operate in residential areas.