According to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change data, India recycled just 32.9 percent of the e-waste created in 2021-2022. While the amount is higher than in past years, it still shows that an astounding 10,74,024 tonnes (67%) of e-waste went unprocessed.
Unprocessed e-waste is hazardous to human health and the environment since it includes toxic compounds like lead, cadmium, mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), etching chemicals, arsenic, and asbestos, which can be dangerous if not disposed of properly. These hazardous compounds may leak into the soil and represent an environmental concern if not separated from other solid waste in landfills.
According to ministry data, 5,27,131 tonnes (32.9 percent) of the 16,01,155 tonnes of e-waste created in 2021-22 were recycled. In 2020-21, 26.33 percent of e-waste was processed, compared to 22.07 percent in 2019-20. In 2018-19, it was 21.35 percent, up from 9.79 percent in 2017-18.
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Technology is a useful servant, but a dangerous master, it was rightly said. Electronic devices have grown into an inevitable part of our daily lives.
