Call for e-waste recycling

Gangtok, June 17: All government offices in the state have been instructed to submit a list of computers which have fallen into disuse so that they can be sent for recycling. “E-waste is one of the world’s fastest growing waste streams. Computers and its peripherals like monitors, circuit boards, printer cartridges and other accessories are considered as e-waste. These all are made of toxic materials like lead, mercury, arsenic and plastic and if disposed off carelessly, they can harm the environment and pose great threat to health,” said the director of information and technology department, Rajesh Verma. “The government has decided not to dump e-waste and send them for re-manufacturing,” he added. According to officials, there are 500 such computers in the different Community Information Centres of the IT department and a list has already been prepared. The department targets to collect around 2,000 unused computers and related gadgets from across the state before sending them for recycling. “Recyclers collect e-waste and extract all hazardous elements like arsenic, lead, mercury and put them back to the manufacturing process,” said an official. Sources said the IT department would prepare a list of unused computers and once the number reaches to 2,000, tenders would be floated for the recycling process to begin. “The highest bidder would be asked to deposit the bidding amount in the state government treasury and collect the material for re-cycling,” said Verma. Senior scientist of the State Pollution Control Board Dr Gopal Pradhan said dumping of e-waste in the open was prohibited according to the E-waste Management and Handling Rule, 2012. ‘This is a very good task taken up by the state government. It will also promote the concept of re-use and re-cycle,” Pradhan said.