Business Line 09.04.2013
Attero, World Bank arm tie up for e-waste recycling
Electronic waste has rightly been identified as one of
the biggest potential environmental disasters. With the world producing
40 million tonnes of e-waste every year, and this figure growing at an
alarming rate, the need for escalating sustainable e-waste recycling is
greater than ever before.
Attero Recycling and
International Finance Corporation (IFC), a World Bank arm, have tied up
to start a ‘Clean e-India’ initiative across Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad
and Hyderabad.
About 1.5 million people would be
impacted by this project, that aims to bring together all stakeholders —
producers of electronic equipment, bulk consumers, Government agencies,
NGOs and civil society.
IFC has invested $5 million to help Attero develop a range of recycling assets.
Nena
Stoiljkovic, Vice-President, IFC Advisory Services, said that bringing
the informal sector into the fold of formal recycling is a challenge.
In
India, about 95 per cent of e-waste recycling is handled by the
unorganised sector which, unfortunately, is not equipped with the
technology or the capital to undertake recycling in an
environment-friendly and safe manner. However, under this project, which
will run over three-and-half years, ragpickers will be trained and
their work integrated with Attero’s recycling facilities.
Further,
15 electronic goods manufacturers, including Samsung, HCL, Videocon,
Haier and Philips, have signed up with this initiative, as undertaking
recycling on their own is untenable.
IT and
Communications Minister Kapil Sibal said that, when western countries
ask developing countries such as India to open trade doors, one must
remember that the technology manufacturers also have the responsibility
to manage the markets they get access to, and the waste produced as a
result.
India produces about 8 lakh tonnes of
e-waste every year. The UN estimates that by 2020 e-waste generated from
computers will shoot up by 500 per cent in India, spelling disaster for
the country unless proper management is undertaken.