PANJIM: With over 85 per cent of Goa’s e-waste made up of household appliances and personal devices, it is leading to disposal through scrap dealers and buy back mechanism in the absence of a system for collection, storage and recycling of such waste.
Further, the talukas of Salcete and Bardez are the highest e-waste generators, while the talukas of Sanguem and Dharbandora, are far behind.
A study conducted by Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) stated that household appliances contribute to around 57 per cent of the e-waste generated in the State, while personal devices account for 30 per cent of the e-waste.
“Owing to approximately 80 per cent of e-waste generated in the State coming from households, a vast majority of electronic waste disposal and processing happens in the unorganised sector through scrap dealers and take back mechanisms,” a study conducted by Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) stated.
“Higher disposable income, reduced costs and ease of procurement has led to significantly higher use of electrical and electronic devices leading to higher rates of e-waste generation,” it added.
GWMC has now appointed a technical consultant for carrying out inventorisation and study trends in generation of e-waste in the State. The corporation has noted that addition of a range of cheap and less durable products in the market has led to increased per capita use and consumerism.
GWMC in association with Karo Sambhav has
been undertaking awareness sessions on the issue across stakeholders including schools, colleges, industries, etc. During the awareness drive from February to August 2019, the highest e-waste generation was noted in Salcete, which was 1533.71 kg, followed by Bardez that reported 1420.05kg. The e-waste generated in Tiswadi was 974.96kgs, while Ponda generated 848.11kgs of such waste.
Two plots, of 4000 sq mts each in Sanguem and Pissurlem have been identified for the purpose of e-waste management in the State. The tendering is in process to identify an operator to set up a dismantling facility, which will cater to around 15 tonnes of e-waste per day.
GWMC has signed an agreement with e-waste PRO Karo Sambhav for collection of all types of e-waste generated. Further, the e-waste condemnation policy of the State is being amended to mandate condemnation only against disposal and not buy-back, which reduces the flow of government e-waste to the informal sector in the State.
