Title: Computer waste management: a review on Indian initiatives

Authors: Pamela Chawla; Neelu Jain; Deepak Bagai

Addresses: Electronics and Communication Engineering Department, Baddi University of Emerging Sciences & Technology, Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, India. ' Electronics and Electrical Communication Engineering Department, PEC University of Technology, Sector 12, Chandigarh 160012, India. ' Electronics and Electrical Communication Engineering Department, PEC University of Technology, Sector 12, Chandigarh 160012, India

Abstract: Increased consumption of electronic products has led to rise in volume of e-waste generated. Computer hardware waste is an important component in terms of its volume and hazardous materials contained, causing environmental risk and health hazards. This is posing a serious challenge in India as the country lacks environmentally safe disposal and recycling processes. This paper critically presents the initiatives being taken in various metropolitan cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bangalore for managing computer waste. Global initiatives especially in context of the European Union (EU), Switzerland and China have also been critically discussed. Concept of EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) has to be given attention while making draft guidelines for managing e-waste holistically.

Keywords: WEEE; EOL products; EPR; hazardous waste; e-waste recycling; landfill; electronic waste; computer waste; end-of-life products; India; extended producer responsibility; computer hardware; waste management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2011.043519

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2011 Vol.14 No.5/6, pp.485 - 500

Received: 27 Oct 2010
Accepted: 16 Aug 2011
Published online: 29 Jan 2015 *

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