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Informal Sector in e-waste Management

Ashish ChaturvediAshish ChaturvediKolkata, September 14, 2009

E-Waste and the Informal Sector

� Historical role in waste management.g� Contribute to reducing the burden of formal

waste management agencies.� Widespread and active network� Poverty and job (in)security – amongst the

laborerslaborers� Component and material recovery� In 2007, informal sector recycled 95% of e-

waste generated in the country (GTZ-MAIT assessment)

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Issues/ Challenges in the Sector

� Occupational Health and Safety� Environmentally harmful impacts� Child Labor� Adherence to minimum wages� Access to capital � Conflicts among groups for materialConflicts among groups for material

OH&S

� Component/dismantling – dustO b i f i ( di i i i )� Open burning of wires ( dioxin emission)

� Lead, Mercury fumes � Handling of chemicals, Acid Contacts � Ergonomic issues� Work area Hazards� Physical injuries, asthma, malnutrition,

skin diseases, eye irritations� Long term health studies not done

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OH&S

� No use of personal protection i tequipments

� Inflammable materials� Small, congested units� No ventilation or air circulation � Unsafe layoutsy� No labeling of chemicals

Environment

� Emissions of dioxins/ heavy metals –l d d ilead, cadmium, mercury

� Other contaminants like BFRs� Spent fluids/chemicals in soil� Groundwater contamination� Non-recyclables- Landfilling and y g

leachate� Beyond workplace – Street dusts

showed traces of PCBs

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Dismantling of e-Waste

Copper Extraction using Acids

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Burning of PCBs to Extract Copper

Breaking Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs)

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Precious Metal Recovery

Hazardous Work Environment

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The Way Forward: Integrate the In-Formal� Given their widespread role, any

ki d l f t tworking model for waste managementrequires integration of the informal sector.

� The NEP (2006) mandates the involvement of the informal sector.I t t ith th f l t� Integrate with the formal sector– Maintain the entrepreneurial spirit– Formation of associations to facilitate easy

integration

Issues/ Challenges for Implementation

� Gaps in the legal framework� Lack of viable working models� Conflicts among groups� Vulnerable to political changes� Limited formal business skills: book-

keeping/ accountingkeeping/ accounting

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Roles and Responsibilities

� Government– Policy& Regulation– Financial Aid/ Access to Credit/ Incentives/ Subsidy– Regularization & property ownership– Insurance scheme

� Initiatives from private companies– Seek support to implement EPR– Link implementation of EPR to livelihoods– Support capacity building

� Proactive role of formal recyclers

Roles and Responsibilities

� Civil Society– Public participation to ensure sustainability– Training & skill enhancement– Awareness for occupational health hazards– Lobbying and advocacy– Exclusive licenses in certain pilot areas for collection

& dismantling

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Training in Bangalore

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1. Eco-BIRD:

Informal sector in Bangalore – trial run groups

Gold leachers

Treating mainly high grade material (mobile phone PCBs, IT chips, connector pins)

Efficiency study

2. e-WaRDD:

Mainly PC dismantlers

Treating all kind of electronic waste

Formalisation after running short of material from company with e-waste management policy

Authorization Process

Requirement: Shift unit for recycling in industrial areasrecycling in industrial areas

Detailed Project Report

Support in submit to SPCB for CFE and CFO

(Guide and monitor the operational processes afterwards)

Problems:

Access to loans for purchasing or renting the land

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Take home Messages

Informal sector shall be integrated in a transparent and fully organizedin a transparent and fully organizede-waste management system

Create awareness and incentives (health or/and financial) among all sectors

Work together with informal sectoro toget e t o a sectoas soon as possible in a consistent manner since progress takes time

Support reuse and avoid hazardous techniques for our health and our environment „LET‘S PROTECT OUR HEALTH AND

ENVIRONMENT“

Informal Sector Recycler Association in Delhi

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Thank you