<p>Ninety per cent of citizens are forced to dispose of their e-waste through online exchanges or local electronic vendors, often without knowing where it eventually ends up. </p>.<p>A nationwide survey which revealed this also indicated why this is so: Local waste collectors simply do not pick up e-waste, as confirmed by 72% of the respondents. </p>.<p>The E-Waste Survey, conducted jointly by the Manufacturers Association of Information and Technology (MAIT) and Cerebra Green, found that eight out of 10 Indians are aware of e-waste. But 50% of them hoard unusable devices for up to five years.</p>.<p>However, Bengalureans and Hyderabadis were the most likely to give the material to e-waste collectors for free. </p>.<p>The tendency to never dispose of certain household electronic goods came to the fore clearly. A high 82% of the respondents had never disposed of their white goods such as refrigerator, air conditioner or microwave through a local waste collector. </p>.<p>Half of the respondents had their old, unused devices safely kept at home for more than five years. Another 28% had stuff that was three to four years old. </p>.<p>Exchanging old electronic stuff online at the time of a new purchase was the preferred choice for 47% of the respondents. Only 43% gave it to the local electronic vendors and 10% of the brand outlets.</p>.<p>But the survey showed a disturbing trend: “Citizens tend to dispose of e-waste through incorrect means due to a lack of alternative avenues.” </p>.<p>However, there was also a silver lining: Eighty-two per cent of those surveyed were clear that they would be extremely willing to give away their e-waste to collectors for free. Their condition: the waste had to be properly handled and processed without causing environmental pollution. </p>.<p>The survey analysed responses from 600 individuals across Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune. The objective was to gauge their awareness around e-waste and its management and to study their disposal habits. </p>.<p>E-waste generation in India is projected to touch three million tonnes by the end of 2018. Industries contribute about 70% of this waste, while domestic households make up 15%. The rest comes from discarded, ‘end of life’ electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). Studies have indicated that globally, India is one of the fastest growing consumers of EEE. </p>
<p>Ninety per cent of citizens are forced to dispose of their e-waste through online exchanges or local electronic vendors, often without knowing where it eventually ends up. </p>.<p>A nationwide survey which revealed this also indicated why this is so: Local waste collectors simply do not pick up e-waste, as confirmed by 72% of the respondents. </p>.<p>The E-Waste Survey, conducted jointly by the Manufacturers Association of Information and Technology (MAIT) and Cerebra Green, found that eight out of 10 Indians are aware of e-waste. But 50% of them hoard unusable devices for up to five years.</p>.<p>However, Bengalureans and Hyderabadis were the most likely to give the material to e-waste collectors for free. </p>.<p>The tendency to never dispose of certain household electronic goods came to the fore clearly. A high 82% of the respondents had never disposed of their white goods such as refrigerator, air conditioner or microwave through a local waste collector. </p>.<p>Half of the respondents had their old, unused devices safely kept at home for more than five years. Another 28% had stuff that was three to four years old. </p>.<p>Exchanging old electronic stuff online at the time of a new purchase was the preferred choice for 47% of the respondents. Only 43% gave it to the local electronic vendors and 10% of the brand outlets.</p>.<p>But the survey showed a disturbing trend: “Citizens tend to dispose of e-waste through incorrect means due to a lack of alternative avenues.” </p>.<p>However, there was also a silver lining: Eighty-two per cent of those surveyed were clear that they would be extremely willing to give away their e-waste to collectors for free. Their condition: the waste had to be properly handled and processed without causing environmental pollution. </p>.<p>The survey analysed responses from 600 individuals across Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune. The objective was to gauge their awareness around e-waste and its management and to study their disposal habits. </p>.<p>E-waste generation in India is projected to touch three million tonnes by the end of 2018. Industries contribute about 70% of this waste, while domestic households make up 15%. The rest comes from discarded, ‘end of life’ electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). Studies have indicated that globally, India is one of the fastest growing consumers of EEE. </p>
