Tuesday, 11 September 2012

West Bengal Pollution Control Board takes initiative for proper disposal of electronic waste

KOLKATA: Concerned over the increasing generation of electronic waste (e-waste) in the city, the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) has taken up an initiative to conduct workshops amongst all the stakeholders to generate awareness for proper and effective disposal of e-waste.

In the city, a large quantity of e-waste is being disposed at the Dhapa dumping ground which is getting mixed with other waste. More alarmingly, tonnes of e-waste is getting dumped at places of Tiljala, Topsia, Tangra, Park Circus which can create serious health hazards.

WBPCB has started conducting a series of workshops on this issue. Around 70 to 80 representatives from different hospitals, both private and government hospitals including SSKM and others attended a workshop that was organised by WBPCB on Friday. "A huge e-waste gets generated from all kind of places like hospitals, educational institutions and other places. There is a need for all stakeholders to know how this waste should be properly disposed off," said WBPCB chairman Binay Kanti Dutta. The next workshop will be held on September where educational institutions will be called upon to attend.

WBPCB have also started acting on their own for proper disposal of e-waste. The authorities have placed around 20 bins in important places of the city like malls and hospitals for disposing e-waste products. "We are also setting up several specialised e-waste collection centers in different places across the state," Dutta said. The collection centers will collect dumped e-waste products and will have dismantling facilities for proper recycle and disposal of e-waste products. Earlier this year, the state government shortlisted two companies for setting up such e-waste collection and dismantling facilities. The authorities are trying to implement the guidelines that have been laid down in the E-waste (management and handling) rules 2011 that has come into effect from May this year.

No comments:

Post a Comment