E-waste Recycling and 4Ls

An effective e-waste recycling is possible only when we address the 4L’s – Legislation (effective implementation), Liability (effective awareness campaigns to familiarise stakeholders), Logistic (Collection & Warehousing) and Liquidity (Money & Material).

The time has come to seriously work on a separate Legislation for handling WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronics Equipment) in India. Most of the developed nations already have legislations in place and are taking serious steps for proper implementation. The legislation has to clearly define the responsibilities of all the stakeholders to reach to an effective solution.

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Reverse Logistic plays a very important role in this industry, primarily because users are increasing day by day and spread over the whole nation. Cost of logistic, packing, loading, unloading and handling is often higher than the value realized at the end. To address this, urban local bodies (ULBs), original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), large commercial complexes and other commercial hubs have to provide closed and guarded warehouses in their areas.

A Central Distribution Agency (CDA) should be formed and managed by the Recognized Recyclers for distribution amongst themselves in proportion to their installed capacities. The CDA may have its own fleet of collection vehicles, material handling equipment, inventorisation, etc. The CDA may involve scrap dealers in Supply Chain Management (SCM) for collection from door to door and may suitably reward them for their cost effective collection mechanism. This will save their jobs and they will also be able to work in better environment, protecting their health from the adverse impact of gases generated during burning wires & cables while recovering metals.

To promote private entrepreneurs to undertake the responsibility of attending this hazardous waste effectively, the Government has to work on a “Package of Incentive” which may include land on long term lease at a nominal price, subsidy, tax holiday, loan at subsidized rate and infrastructure status to the industry. At the same time, the administration has to work to implement the rules seriously so that electrical & electronic items eventually go to the recognized recyclers. The above steps will improve Liquidity of e-waste and flow of investment from the private entrepreneurs.