The volume of electronic waste is rising alarmingly in line with the increased penetration of electronic marvels while the country is yet to develop a prudent policy to handle the e-scrap, according to policy experts and analysts.
The Department of Environment formulated a draft policy on e-waste management in February this year, but the draft guideline has so far not seen the light due to what the officials said bureaucratic red tape.
The annual production of e-waste now stands at 5.45 million tons, maintaining a 30-percent growth year-on-year, according to a research organization ESDO.
E-waste refer to the electronic products that are unwanted, not working, and that have had their lifetime over. Computers, televisions, stereos, copiers, fax machines as well as a whole lot of other such devices fall under the rubric of electronic marvels used every day.
Environment researchers mentioned that e-waste emit toxic substances including barium, cadmium, mercury, chromium, copper, lead and zinc. Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) in computer monitor or television contain about 8 percent of lead by weight.
E-waste is an aftermath of increased penetration of digital devices including mobile phones and computers in the country. In most cases, manufacturers or importers have no engagement in e-waste management, however, they use expired parts in different new electronic products.
