Greenpeace activists at the Ministry of
Commerce, New Delhi, demand a ban on the import of electronic waste. The organization presented evidence of the illegal import of e-waste into the country in the guise of computers for reuse and charity.
"The continued import of e-waste for recycling, under the guise
of reuse or charity, is a flagrant violation of the laws of the
land(1), including Supreme Court orders and international
legislation such as the Basel Convention," said Ramapati Kumar,
Greenpeace Toxics Campaigner. "The Ministry of Commerce cannot turn
a blind eye to this crime, which poses a threat to India's
environment and its people. What is needed is an immediate and
complete ban on the import of second-hand used computers and
electronics."
Greenpeace has evidence that large amounts of E-waste from
developed countries like US, the European Union and Japan are
entering India for recycling and disposal, exploiting a loophole
that permits the import of second hand computers for reuse and for
charitable donations. India already has a proven lack of capacity
to safely recycle domestically generated electronic waste, and
illegal waste imports are further compounding the problem. E-waste
recycling, particularly in informal recycling yards, has dangerous
consequences for the environment and workers' health as e-waste
typically contains hazardous substances such as lead, cadmium and
Brominated Flame Retardants.
According to import records procured by Greenpeace pertaining to
shipments entering through the Chennai port, even old cables, mouse
pads, printed circuit boards, printers, batteries, keyboards, RAM
chips and hard disks are being imported, aside from old monitors
and processors. The total amount of E-waste imported through
Chennai port between January and June 2007 was approximately 628
tonnes.
"This is just the tip of iceberg, with thousands of tonnes
entering from other ports such as Mumbai, Kochi and Kolkata,
destined for the informal recycling system. It is ridiculous for
any one to suggest that India needs to import cables, RAM cards or
printed circuit boards for reuse, this clearly shows that the real
intention is recycling or disposal!" said Kumar. "India needs a
complete ban on the import of used computers and electronic wastes,
without further delay, and it is up to the Ministry of Commerce to
act in the nation's interest," he stressed.
The five activists were released on bail on sureties at 10
p.m.
For further information, contact
Ramapati Kumar, Greenpeace Toxics Campaigner @ 09845535414
Saumya Tripathy, Grenpeace Communications @ 0934386212
Notes to Editor
The import of hazardous waste into India for disposal has been banned by the Supreme Court of India in 1997. Further, according to the Basel Convention, the trans-boundary movement of hazardous waste from OECD to non-OECD countries for disposal or recovery is banned. Additionally, according to Para 2.17 of the EXIM policy, 2002-07, Import of Second hand goods is only permitted with the permission of the Director General of Foreign Trade. Import of e-waste is also restricted as a part of List-A and List-B of Schedule –3 of the Hazardous waste (Management & Handling) Rules 1989, as amended in 2003 under the Environment Protection Act. The import of such goods requires the specific permission of the Ministry of Environment and Forest.