Central government takes big step to deal with e-waste, fixes average age of smartphones and laptops at 5 years

New Delhi : The Central Government has taken a major step to deal with the growing problem of e-waste in the country. The government has fixed the average age of smartphones and laptops at 5 years, after which these devices will be considered as e-waste.

The new rules, which came into effect on April 1, 2023, also require brand producers to obtain a certificate of e-waste recycling equal to the e-waste generated or in the prescribed quantity from any authorized recycler. Only after this will they be allowed for new production.

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This is a significant departure from the previous rules, which required brand producers to be responsible for collecting and recycling e-waste. The new rules shift the onus of dealing with e-waste to the recyclers, who will now have to set up infrastructure to collect and recycle the waste.

The government has also set up a new system of recyclers across the country who will now issue such certificates. In return, they will take money from the brand producers.

The new rules are expected to help reduce the amount of e-waste generated in the country. At present, about 11 lakh tonnes of e-waste is being generated every year in India, of which only 10% is being collected.

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The government hopes that the new rules will help to increase the collection and recycling of e-waste, and reduce the environmental impact of this waste.

Here are some additional details about the new rules:

• The average age of other electronic and electrical equipment has also been fixed. For example, the average age of a refrigerator is 10 years, a washing machine is 9 years, and a television is 7 years.
• The brand producers will have to submit an annual report to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) detailing the amount of e-waste they have generated and recycled.
• The CPCB will monitor the implementation of the new rules and take action against any brand producer found to be in violation.

The new rules are a welcome step by the government to deal with the growing problem of e-waste in India. However, it remains to be seen how effective they will be in practice.

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