Wipro announces e-waste disposal services for end-users

Bangalore, July 17 (UNI) Amid protest by volunteers of Greenpeace on e-waste management in front of its premises, software giant Wipro Technologies today said it was highly environmentally-conscious and complied with all the environmental laws of the country.

In a release here, Wipro said, ''the issue being highlighted by Greenpeace is about the disposal of scrapped computers by the owners and users of computers and electronic goods. This is a larger issue and involves all the users and owners of computers, the entire installed base of computers and all the vendors/manufacturers in India.'' Wipro said its manufacturing processes, waste disposal and product specifications met the norms laid down by the Central Pollution Control Board and was ISO 14000 compliant.

Earlier in the day, Greenpeace activists staged a demonstration in front of Wipro Technologies on the outskirts of the city, urging the IT major to take a lead among Indian companies in phasing out hazardous chemicals from its products and chalking out an effective programme on 'responsible' recycling of e-waste.

The activists, dressed in white haz-mat suits with protective masks and gloves, were displaying old computer monitors with the slogan 'Clean Up Now' and shouting slogans, demanding a clear commitment from the company on drawing a roadmap for European Union directive, Restoration of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and implementing a take back policy for their 'end of life' electronic products.

The release said IT industry was a progressive one and players globally were campaigning to generate end-user awareness and influence legislation to ensure appropriate disposal of waste by end-users. Likewise, the Indian industry, under the aegis of MAIT, had been actively promoting end-user awareness and had submitted a draft legislation on the matter to the Government.

On various measures taken in Wipro, company Vice-President (Personal Computing Division) Ashutosh Vaidya said ''Wipro has been actively working on the issue since August, 2005. We had set up an Environment Management Team to lead Wipro's initiatives on this front. Over the last one year, we have defined the process, identified suitable disposal mechanisms, created service points across the country, identified technically competent disposal agencies and set up a process for disposal of e-waste.'' He said that beginning September one, Wipro would offer the service of e-waste disposal to its customers. These services could be availed by its customers free of cost by paying nominal freight charges. ''We are pioneers in launching this service in India and this displays our commitment to the environment,'' he added.

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