South MCD starts online facility for e-waste collection

Online requests can be submitted on the website – https://ewaste.mcdservices.online.

As per the agreement, the company will purchase e-waste from citizens and ensure its disposal in a proper manner. Waste will be collected on the basis of requests received through the portal.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the E-waste Management Rules, 2016, following which the SDMC engaged the firm on the basis of an open tender.

E-waste includes electronic and electrical items like computers, transformers, freezes, switches, TVs, etc. which are non-functional and have to be disposed.

A senior South body official said e-waste contains toxic chemicals and minerals like arsenic, cadmium, acid, and hence, should be recycled in a scientific manner. “If such items are not disposed of in a scientific manner, it can cause massive damage to the environment. Due to its toxic nature, the SDMC has introduced the online facility,” he said.

With the recent push for e-vehicles in the national capital, the situation may worsen if proper attention is not given to e-waste and used battery collection centres.

A study carried out by the University of Michigan in 2016 stated that residents here are being exposed to airborne lead levels that are 2-8 times higher than their neighbours due to the illegal battery recycling industry.