Delhi-NCR is emerging as the world’s dumping yard for electronic waste (e-waste) and likely to generate 95,000 metric tons (MT) per annum by 2017, a new study released by the Associated Chambers of Commerce of India (ASSOCHAM) reveals.
The paper said e-waste in India is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25% from today's 55,000 MT per annum. The US (42%) is the top contributor of e-waste in the country, followed by China (30%) and the European Union (18%). Other countries like Taiwan, South Korea, Japan contribute about 10%.
“Less than 2% of India's total electronic waste gets recycled due to absence of proper infrastructure, legislation and framework," D S Rawat, Secretary General ASSOCHAM, said during the release of the findings, which was also posted in the ASSOCHAM website.
ASSOCHAM said India produces nearly 13 lakh MT of electronic waste every year. Mumbai (96,000) tops the list in generating e-waste followed Delhi-NCR (55,000) and Bangalore (52,000). Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Pune also ranked highly in the list.
The paper further mentioned that Delhi alone gets around 86% of the electronic waste generated in the developed world. In terms of total e-waste produced internally or brought from outside for recycling, Delhi's e-waste weighs between 50,000 and 55,000 MT per year. The e-waste imported from Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata makes its way to Delhi as there is a ready market for glass and plastic in the NCR. Also, the wastes from Mumbai constitute a bulk of the 1,500 tons discarded electronics that land in Delhi’s scrap yards every day.
Estimates show that over 35,000-45,000 child laborers, or those between the ages 10-14, may be engaged in various e-waste activities, without adequate protection and safeguards in Delhi’s various yards and recycling workshops. Rawat said each state should develop its own scrap yards in the respective cities so that the environmental hazards would be minimized in Delhi-NCR.