a convenient collection and disposal system for large and small consumers to return all their e-waste safely,
a voluntary system for modern and concerned producers to care of their product beyond its useful life and
a financially secure system that makes environmentally and socially responsible e-waste recycling viable.
A Clean e-Waste Channel provides
convenient collection points or a collection system for consumers
secure transportation of e-waste to a trader/recycler
involvement of the trained informal sector for certain tasks
e-waste is processed by licensed and controlled recyclers
secure financing of the e-waste management system
A Clean e-Waste Channel requires
from producers
a voluntary agreement on the take-back of e-waste at authorized collection points
setting up a PRO for monitoring, controlling, organising financing and administration of e-waste system
agree on individual or collective take-back system
from consumers
take e-waste to dedicated collection points
need to be aware that waste eventually should be treated after the polluter-pays-principle
from recyclers, transporters, dealers
proper and sustainable processing of e-waste
contractual arrangements with producers or PRO about receiving e-waste
licence from the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB)
What is a PRO (Producer Responsibility Organisation)?
A PRO may be created on a voluntary basis by producers to help oversee their environmental responsibilities.
Specifically, a PRO is a body created by producers such as producers of electronic equipment to collectively manage the take-back and recycling requirements of post-consumer products such as e-waste.
PRO usually manages the financial structure of e-waste management.
Creating a PRO will also ensure that e-waste will be processed in an environmentally sound manner.
The greatest advantage of setting up a PRO is that it reduces the transaction costs of management of e-waste.
A Clean e-Waste Channel in Electronics City
Figure 1 depicts a possible set up of a Clean e-Waste Channel in Electronics City. All the companies that are member of ELCIA would return their e-waste to an authorized collection point where all kind of e-waste would be accepted and possibly other kind of waste, too. Even a pick-up service could be considered.
From the collection point, e-waste would be transported to an authorized recycler who adheres to environmental and health standards.
This recycler will decontaminate and pre-process e-waste for further recycling by specialised and sophisticated refineries.
The material flow would be monitored and the recyclers controlled by a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO). The PRO would also insure the financial sustainability of the system.
Figure 1 - Example of a Clean e-Waste Channel in Electronics City
The task of the companies in Electronics City would therefore be to exclusively feed their e-waste into ELCIA's Clean e-Waste Channel.
