Eliminating Toxics

The world is consuming more and more electronic products every year. This has caused a dangerous explosion in electronic scrap (e-waste) containing toxic chemicals and heavy metals that cannot be disposed of or recycled safely. But this problem can be avoided. We are pressing leading electronic companies to change; to turn back the toxic tide of e-waste.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of old computers and mobile phones are dumped in landfills or burned in smelters. Thousands more are exported, often illegally, from the Europe, US, Japan and other industrialised countries to Asia. Here, workers at scrap yards, some of whom are children, are exposed to a cocktail of toxic chemicals and poisons.

Campaign story:

Greenpeace India is working to solve e-waste crisis by pushing electronic manufacturers to accept responsibility of entire life-cycle of their products including end of the life stage. Electronic manufacturers can solve this crisis by phasing out toxic chemicals from their products at the design stage itself. This will make recycling and treatment of e-waste safer and easier. We are also working to create separate legislative framework based on producer’s responsibility.

After years of campaigning by Greenpeace and other groups, the Government finally came up with a draft for an e-waste regulation notification. Though late, the action is a step in the right direction. The finalisation and implementation of this notification will be a big achievement for this campaign.