Think Tank Meet In Bhubaneswar To Find Ways To Tackle Toxic E-Waste

Bhubaneswar: Scientists, Professors and Researchers from Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT) Bhubaneswar, Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology (CIPET) Bhubaneswar, IIT Bhubaneswar, NISER, KIIT, and other universities and associate industry professionals met for a brain storming session on the management of e-waste here.

Here are the recommendations from the meet:

• E-waste should be collected from the consumer.
• There should be proper sorting of the waste materials, dismantling of plastic, PCBs, hazardous materials.
• Segregated waste should be channelized to respective industries for recycling.
• Informal sectors who are not aware of heath hazards and environmental sustainability should come under government supervision.
• Consumers should be encouraged to donate old electronics and upgrade software without changing the hardware wherever possible.
• Small and medium scale industries should be encouraged for proper dismantling and recycling of the e-waste.
• The manpower involved should be properly educated regarding the toxicity and hazardous nature of the material they are handling.
• Extra care should be taken and mixing of different acids and chemicals as waste in the industry of dismantling and recycling should not be allowed without knowledge.
• E-waste bins should be available to all houses, offices, schools and institutes.
• People should be made aware of the e-waste management.
• Although India runs large recycling industry, 95 per cent of the e-waste does not go for recycling. This huge e-waste should be collected and disposed for recycling.
• The government laws should be strict enough for industries as well as for public to reduce and manage e-waste.
• There should be attractive schemes and policies from the government and the business partners for consumers to donate their e-waste for reuse and recycling.
• Government should allocate more funds towards recycling business and research.
• IMMT has developed its own scientific method for dismantling of batteries that can bring small industry development. Training to concerned personnel can be provided through industrial collaboration or workshops in a scientific way.
• Research on Lithium ion battery recycling and recycle of graphite waste for reuse in battery at IMMT has been initiated.
• Valuable e-waste plastics should be recycled mechanically without burning. An eco-friendly method has been developed by CIPET and can bring opportunities for small scale industries.
• There should be a seminar cum workshop for bringing the industrialists, interested business personnel and the researchers together to actuate the researched methods of recycling and related strategies on field.
• The most important call of the time is to educate and sensitize people to bring down use of electronics items and resources and their sustainable management. Everyone must be educated about the essence of safe and pollution-free environment with a mindset to respect and value each and everything we use that directly or indirectly are nature’s gift to us.