Due to the
rampant generation of electronic waste not just in India but across the globe
there is a need to create awareness about the repercussions that the electronic
waste has; not just on the human health but also on the ecosystem. An awareness
about this topic can bring a drastic change in the minds of the consumers of
electronics across the globe. There is a huge consumer base as electronics are
widely used not just as luxury but also as a necessity. Here are some of the
examples of the global impact and the initiatives that countries as well as
various organizations are trying to take in-order to have less impact of the
electronic waste that is generated through its vast consumption.
In India, the
project undertaken by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
(MeitY) known as the ‘Awareness Programme on Environmental Hazards of
Electronic Waste’ under the ‘Digital India’ initiative has got results in terms
of creating awareness among many of the stakeholders who use electronics. This
initiative was taken by the Government of India for the effective
implementation of various laws that have been legislated to curb the adverse
impact of electronic waste over the human health and the environment.
The Ministry
of Electronics and Information Technology (MietY) has played a key role in
dissemination of knowledge on e-waste rules in the past. The awareness
programme was conducted in many schools in India and the response received from
the students across India has been phenomenon. In-order to contribute towards
the society and play our part we too need to spread the word among our
acquaintances about the various measures that can be adopted to reduce
e-waste.
The UNDP
which stands for United Nations Development Programme is the global development
network of the United Nations. The official website of UNDP has narrated the
difference that a single individual who was vigilant about e-waste in
Kazakhstan could do in order to combat such perilous electronic waste.
In Kazakhstan
a woman who is of two kids set an example that nothing is impossible when one
wants to achieve a good cause by strong determination and an ardent execution.
Her concern for electronic waste arose when she read a newsletter mentioning
the negative impact of such electronic waste on the environment. She chose a
sound way to dispose her five old mobiles. Her enlightenment on such a grave
issue caused her to advocate electronic waste campaigns by making the rest of
the people of her vicinity aware of what electronic waste is and what harmful
effect it can have over the society.
In India as
well, such initiatives by vigilant individuals of the society can make a major
difference. It is the determination for such a cause that can bring a major
change. We can write Articles or such issues can be highlighted through
advertisements so that many are aware what e-waste is and what impact does it
have on our society. It is not only the lack of awareness that has caused the
increase in the generation of electronic waste but also the issue which is
globally recognized as a serious issue not being taken up seriously by many of
its stakeholders has also contributed towards such humongous unchecked
destruction of the environment leading to various climatic changes and the
worst impact over land, air, water and the entire ecosystem that we all a part
of.
According to
the International Labour Organization website:
In the
Newsroom section of the website, it shows that in a press release dated 17th
April, 2019 there was an urgent action call to manage the flood of toxic
electronic waste that was produced around the world in-order to convert it into
a valuable source of decent work.
During the
International Labour Organization meeting in Geneva of the representatives of
the Governments along with the organizations of workers and employers there was
an agreement by the Governments to- “increase and promote investments in waste
management infrastructure and systems at all levels, as appropriate, to manage
the rapidly growing flows of e-waste in ways that advance decent work.”
“Workers
handling e-waste have no voice, no bargaining power and they are breaking
hazardous materials by their hands,” was said by James Towers, the worker
vice-chairperson. “Moreover, these workers are unaware of the many risks
associated with handling e-waste”. “There is great business opportunity in the
e-waste sector”, was said by Patrick Van den Bossche, the employer
vice-chairperson, “We need to step up our efforts in creating decent and sustainable
jobs, fostering and enabling environment for sustainable enterprises, offering
new products and new services, and adding value through enhancing the circular
economy”. “In my own country, Nigeria, and in several other African countries,
e-waste is littering our landscape,” was said by Aniefiok Etim Essah government
vice-chairperson. Yet, he added, “Our youth possesses the creativity and
potential for learning skills to manage e-waste, giving us the opportunity to
increase youth employment.”
Electronic waste
is a serious issue as every household has electric gadgets in some form or the
other. Some years back when the children had only books to refer in order to
gather information and libraries to access for a better understanding on a
particular subject but these days it is vice versa where students are more
inclined towards the electronic gadgets for gathering information. Not many
would prefer to check the books when with one click every information is
available to the students. Projects and researches were once upon a time only
on paper but today this has been replaced with online mode and life without an
electronic gadget almost seems unimaginable.
This has
surely reduced one’s dependency on paper resulting into the society heading
towards becoming paperless. Electronic waste has its pros and cons. If not
handled with care it could be dangerous to the human health and the environment
and at the same time with a better understanding about electronic waste, there
can be employment generation in the society. From the person who collects the
electronic waste to the last person who recycles the waste witnesses a source
of income being generated for their household. The poor laborers do risk their
lives as handling toxic components could have an adverse effect over their
health. There is also a growing concern as the developed countries dump their
e-waste in the developing countries resulting into adverse public health and
environmental impact due to the toxics that it contains. Yet, by learning more
about e-waste we can make a huge difference in the society.
