'Government to bear 50% Capex for e-waste recycling facilities on PPP mode'

New Delhi, May 26 (ANI): The Government will bear 50 per cent of Capex for e-waste recycling facilities on public private parternship (PPP) mode, said Rajiv Gauba, Joint Secretary with the Ministry of Environment and Forests, here on Wednesday.

Speaking at a Confederation of Indian Industry(CII) organized programme "National Forum on eWaste" in the national capital, Gauba proposed both Central and State Government should share 25 per cent of capital expenditure each for creating recycling facilities in the Public-Private-Partnership mode.

Gauba said that "Government with support from Industry has to take a practical and pragmatic approach for effective implementation of the upcoming e-waste policy" and he invited suggestions from all stakeholders.

He added that the draft policy is based on concept of extended producers' responsibility and focuses on the infrastructure creation for e-waste refurbishing, recycling and awareness creation at all levels.

Gauba said that e-waste generation is expected to touch 800,000 tonnes by 2012, which is five times growth in less than five years, even when the per capita generation of e-Waste in the country is very low in comparison to other countries of the world.

On this occasion, Gauba also appreciated the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for creating an interactive platform for multi-stakeholders at the opportune time to discuss the challenges, issues and bring ideas and suggestions for draft National Policy on e-Waste.

While discussing the draft policy on e-waste, Director in the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Dr. Saroj said: "As per India's culture and heritage, the concept of positive reuse will be promoted through refurbishing and only something which cannot be reused must be recycled in a scientific manner."

Emphasising that the main focus should be on efficient collection centres that can be made through industry consortiums, state agencies etc, Dr. Saroj also requested for comprehensive proposals for financial support systems in this regard.

She informed that the draft policy puts more responsibility on Producers and Dealers and it is suggested that Dealers for electronic products would need to be registered with State Pollution Control Boards and have efficient buy-back policies and mechanisms in place.

"MoEF does not want India to become a dumping ground on plea of charity," Dr. Saroj stated.

Kensaku Konishi, President and CEO, Canon India Pvt Ltd, on this occasion, said "The electronics manufacturers' and large users of IT and electronics products need to effectively participate in e-waste management programmes and cultivate an eco-friendly culture."

"The need of the hour is to take a business approach which is socially responsible and economically logical - as we do at Canon and believe that we are building a better world for future generations," he added.

Ritu Kappal, COO, Greenscape Eco Management Pvt Ltd appreciated the fact that the policy encourages producers to strengthen their reverse logistical processes and collaborate with authorized recyclers' so that a framework develops for appropriate implementation of the policy".

Some other key speakers and participants represented companies like HP, Nokia, Wipro, HCL, Ramky, MAIT, CEAMA, ELCINA, Toxic Links, Greenscape, E-Parisaraa, Greenpeace. (ANI)