Overview of EPR Fulfilment in E-Waste Management
The rapid urban development, expansion of industrial activities, the advancement of information and communication technologies, and the human desire for new electrical and electronic products have increased the volumes of electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) generation. The adoption of the extended producers responsibility (EPR) principle as a mitigation strategy for e-waste management has gained impetus over the past few years.
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) has been a widely used policy approach for e-waste management. E-waste, if handled and disposed of in an inefficient manner, can lead to an extremely damaging impact on human health and the environment. This is mainly because e-waste comprises hazardous constituents such as lead, cadmium, brominated flame retardants, chromium, or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) that contaminate soil, water, and food. All e-waste is valuable because it contains metals such as iron, copper, tin, nickel, zinc, lead, gold, silver, and palladium. PCBs consist of rare and precious metals such as rhodium, ruthenium, palladium, osmium, iridium, and platinum, collectively known as the Platinum Group Metals (PGM). India has a very high rate of e-waste collection because of its valuable content. Unfortunately, most e-waste collection and recycling is done by informal or unorganized labor in highly environmentally degrading ways, posing serious health risks.
Important terms related to EPR Fulfilment in E-Waste Management
Electrical and Electronic Equipment
It means equipment that is dependent on electric current or electromagnetic field in order to become functional and also the equipment for the generation, transfer, and measurements of electricity.
E-waste
It means electrical and electronic equipment that includes solar photo-voltaic modules or panels or cells, whole or in part discarded as waste and also rejected from manufacturing, refurbishment, and repair processes.
Extended Producer Responsibility
It means the responsibility of any producer of electrical or electronic equipment to meet recycling targets by registered recyclers of e-waste to ensure environmentally sound management of such waste.
Target
It means the quantity of e-waste to be recycled by a registered recycler by the producer in fulfilment of extended producer responsibility.
Who is eligible to apply?
The entities shall register on the portal in any of the following categories:
Non-applicability of the E-waste rules under EPR Fulfilment in E-Waste Management
E-waste rules would not be applicable to the following:
Fees for registration under EPR Fulfilment in E-Waste Management
The Central Pollution Control Board may charge such registration fees and annual maintenance charges from the entities looking for registration under these rules on the basis of the capacity of e-waste generated, recycled, or handled by them as laid down by the Central Pollution Control Board with the approval of the Steering Committee.
Sale, Transfer, and Storage of E-Waste
Every manufacturer, producer, refurbisher, and recycler may store e-waste for up to 180 days and must keep a record of the sale, transfer, and storage of e-waste and make these records available for inspection and e-waste storage. The Central Pollution Control Board may extend the said period up to 365 days in case the e-waste is required to be specifically stored for the development of a process for its recycling or reuse.
Documents required for EPR Fulfilment in E-Waste Management
Challenges of EPR Fulfilment in E-Waste Management
Management of e-waste has been a challenge for a developing country like India; however, the scenario is gradually improving. Some of the challenges of EPR Fulfilment in E-Waste Management are:
Cherry-picking
While the E-waste Rules cover both IT waste (computers, mobile phones, etc.) and Consumer Electronics (CE) (televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, and lamps), there is a large misperception that e-waste is only about IT waste predominantly computers and mobiles. Unsurprisingly, cherry-picking, whereby only the positive value fractions are recycled is abundant. Negative value fractions, such as CRT TVs or lamps, are not found attractive and are, therefore, not accepted by many recyclers.
Minimal Compliance
From large multinational original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to small importers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), companies are focused on keeping compliance costs for e-waste management at the minimum possible and willing to cut corners where possible.
Lack of Sufficient Regulatory Capacity
Businesses' response to e-waste management in India has been almost completely driven by compliance. In the absence of other drivers like consumer demand, environmental leadership, and resource efficiency, businesses tend to design their response to keep compliance costs as low as possible. The lack of sufficient regulatory capacity at central and state levels, in terms of manpower and financial and non-financial resources, also contributes to businesses' decisions to bank on the possibility of escaping with minimal compliance.
Lack of Awareness
Business response to e-waste regulations has also been impacted by a lack of awareness about the negative externalities of environmentally unsafe e-waste management practices. This lack of awareness is not just restricted to key decision-makers in businesses but also extends to consumers which in turn impacts consumer behaviour while dealing with e-waste.
Benefits of EPR Fulfilment in E-Waste Management
If well-designed and implemented, EPR can provide significant environmental, economic, and social benefits. Some of the benefits of EPR Fulfilment in E-waste Management are:
Promotes Innovative and Sustainable Business Models
EPR promotes innovative and sustainable business models around waste management product design and material alternatives. These business models can provide considerable environmental benefits by offsetting the production of new products and materials and, at the same time, promoting competitiveness and job creation.
Decrease in the Extraction of Virgin Resources.
An EPR legislation may set targets on reuse, recycling, and use of recycled content for producers, importers, and brand owners. Meeting this requirement will reduce the mismanagement of waste and foster the recovery and recycling of waste into secondary raw material.
Innovation and Design for the Environment
Since EPR asks the industry to take back products at the end of the product life, it incentivizes the development of designs that boost their recyclability and lessen the effect of products that stay in the waste stream EPR implementation mechanisms can also integrate incentives toward design for the environment.
Job Creation
Creates jobs and supports economic development by providing opportunities for waste collection, processing, and marketing. Job opportunities in the waste management sector are created by the establishment of collection centers and recycling facilities. EPR compliance promotes the development of a formal recycling industry, which employs thousands of people involved in e-waste management.
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Responsibilities under EPR Fulfilment in E-Waste Management
Responsibilities of the Manufacturer
All manufacturers shall have to:
Responsibilities of the Producer
The producer of electrical and electronic equipment would be held responsible for:
Responsibilities of the Refurbisher
All Refurbishers shall have to:
Responsibilities of the Recycler
All Recyclers shall have to:
Role of Producer Responsibility Organizations (PRO) in Waste Management
PRO is referred to as a professional organization authorized or financed collectively or individually by producers that can take responsibility for collecting and channeling generated e-waste from the end-of-life of their products ensuring environmentally sound management of such e-waste. PROs play a pivotal role in properly implementing EPR. PROs can help with local-level implementation of EPR where ULBs may lack expertise and help producers/ brand owners meet their EPR objectives and legal requirements for the same. PROs must integrate and deal with a wide variety of stakeholders ranging from the government to brand owners, waste collectors, and waste generators. Hence, they will help in the creation of a more transparent and robust system wherein accountabilities can be shared by various stakeholders. The PRO helps producers achieve collection targets, makes the process of collection and End-of-life management transparent, allows for tracking of waste, and conducts awareness generation. In the Indian context, a typical PRO may provide the following services:
Statistical Data
Fig. E-Waste Recycling Target (by weight)
Source- E-Waste-Management-Rules-2022
|
2023 -2024 |
60% of the amount of an EEE that was introduced to the market in the year Y-X, where 'X' represents the product's average life and Y represents the Years |
|
2024 -2025 |
60% of the amount of an EEE that was introduced to the market in the year Y-X, where 'X' represents the product's average life and Y represents the Years |
|
2025 -2026 |
70% of the amount of an EEE that was introduced to the market in the year Y-X, where 'X' represents the product's average life and Y represents the Years |
|
2026-2027 |
70% of the amount of an EEE that was introduced to the market in years Y-X, where Y stands for the Years and X is the product's average life |
|
2027-2028 |
80% of the quantity of an EEE placed in the market in year Y-X, where X is the average life of that product and Y represents the Years |
|
2028-2029 onwards |
80% of the quantity of an EEE placed in the market in year Y-X, where X is the average life of that product and Y represents the Years |
How can Corpbiz assist you?
Corpbiz offers assistance in determining how EPR Fulfilment in E-Waste Management could benefit your business. Effective EPR Fulfilment in E-Waste Management solutions will expand as businesses expand. Corpbiz is at the forefront of this trend and will be a partner in assisting businesses in achieving their objectives.
At Corpbiz:
Frequently Asked Questions
E-waste refers to discarded electronic devices, including computers, smartphones, appliances, and other electronic products.
Proper e-waste management prevents environmental pollution, conserves resources, and ensures safe disposal of hazardous materials found in electronic devices.
EPR programs are required for manufacturers to take responsibility for the collection, recycling, and safe disposal of their products once they reach the end of their life cycle.
According to the E-waste (Management) Rules, CPCB must issue EPR Authorization within 120 days of receiving complete applications at CPCB.
EPR Fulfilment in E-Waste Management reduces the burden on local governments, promotes recycling, encourages eco-friendly product design, and raises awareness about responsible disposal.
Consumers can recycle old electronics at designated collection points, participate in e-waste awareness programs, and support brands with robust EPR initiatives.
Yes, many countries have specific regulations and laws to govern e-waste management and EPR fulfillment, ensuring manufacturers comply with responsible disposal practices.
Yes, functional electronic devices can be refurbished and reused, reducing the overall e-waste volume and promoting a circular economy.
Under EPR Fulfilment in E-Waste Management, businesses should partner with certified e-waste recyclers, implement proper collection and recycling programs, and adhere to legal requirements related to EPR.
EPR programs often cover electronic devices, batteries, packaging materials, and other items that have significant environmental impacts if not properly managed.
Penalties can be imposed, including fines and legal action, if a manufacturer fails to fulfil their EPR obligations, depending on the specific laws in the respective region or country.
E-Waste Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) EPR refers to a producer's obligation to channel e-waste in a way that promotes environmentally responsible waste management.
