The Times of India Delhi 07.09.2016
NDMC sets up 5 e-waste collection centres
Representative image
NEW DELHI: In a bid to prevent health risks resulting from exposure to
electronic junk, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has set up five
e-waste collection centres in its areas. It has also initiated a door-to-door pickup service, which is being offered free of cost.
The collection centres have come up at Kautilya Marg, Palika Niwas, Amrita Shergill Marg, Rajendra Prasad Road and Ashoka Road.
According to NDMC secretary Chanchal Yadav, most people are not aware of environmental hazards likely to be caused due to unscientific disposal of old and discarded electronic devices. "Garbage collection is obligatory function of civic agencies. It is also important to ensure that e-wastes are getting disposed of properly. We have set up five collection centres in our areas where people can dispose of electronic scrap. They can also raise a request by calling NDMC, which will collect it from their doorstep within a day," said Yadav.
A steep rise in the use of electronic gadgets, both for domestic and commercial purposes, has meant that e-waste generation has also gone up manifold. "We will also be able to find out how much e-waste is generated on a daily basis," said Yadav. She added that residents can make a request on the council's mobile app—NDMC 311.
Experts attribute the frequent fires at landfill sites to haphazard dumping of e-waste such as battery, circuits and chips. They say methane produced by chemicals released from electronic junk causes fire.
According to a WHO report, e-waste-connected health risks may result from direct contact with harmful materials such as lead, cadmium, chromium, brominated flame retardants or from inhalation of toxic fumes as well as from accumulation of chemicals in soil, water and food.
E-waste, if left untreated and disposed of unscientifically, can pose serious health risks such as damage to central and peripheral nervous system as well as reproductive and immunity system.
"We will tie up with NGOs, start-ups and agencies like Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) for recycling and scientific disposal of e-waste," said Yadav.
The collection centres have come up at Kautilya Marg, Palika Niwas, Amrita Shergill Marg, Rajendra Prasad Road and Ashoka Road.
According to NDMC secretary Chanchal Yadav, most people are not aware of environmental hazards likely to be caused due to unscientific disposal of old and discarded electronic devices. "Garbage collection is obligatory function of civic agencies. It is also important to ensure that e-wastes are getting disposed of properly. We have set up five collection centres in our areas where people can dispose of electronic scrap. They can also raise a request by calling NDMC, which will collect it from their doorstep within a day," said Yadav.
A steep rise in the use of electronic gadgets, both for domestic and commercial purposes, has meant that e-waste generation has also gone up manifold. "We will also be able to find out how much e-waste is generated on a daily basis," said Yadav. She added that residents can make a request on the council's mobile app—NDMC 311.
Experts attribute the frequent fires at landfill sites to haphazard dumping of e-waste such as battery, circuits and chips. They say methane produced by chemicals released from electronic junk causes fire.
According to a WHO report, e-waste-connected health risks may result from direct contact with harmful materials such as lead, cadmium, chromium, brominated flame retardants or from inhalation of toxic fumes as well as from accumulation of chemicals in soil, water and food.
E-waste, if left untreated and disposed of unscientifically, can pose serious health risks such as damage to central and peripheral nervous system as well as reproductive and immunity system.
"We will tie up with NGOs, start-ups and agencies like Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) for recycling and scientific disposal of e-waste," said Yadav.
According to Central Pollution Control Board's estimate, e-waste generation in India has increased from 1.5 metric tonnes in 2005 to 1.64 million metric tonnes by 2014. The environment ministry has amended the norms by notifying E-waste (Management) Rules, 2016, which will come into effect from October.
According to these rules, collection centres have to be set up across cities and people have to ensure that e-waste generated is disposed off scientifically to curb its effect on the environment and public health. State pollution control boards have to ensure scientific disposal of e-waste, which will be scrutinised by CPCB from time to time.
Latest Comment
What about other MCDs in Delhi? When will they begin the same?Manish Khurana