E-Waste, also known as WEEE (Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment), is made up of broken end-of-life E.E.E. (Electronic and Electrical Equipment) products that have been declared outdated by users. Used and abandoned computers, mobile phones and motherboards, obsolete chargers, CDs, DVDs, headphones, televisions, air conditioners, and other electronic waste are examples of E-Waste. According to the global E-Waste Monitor Report, approximately 53.6 million metric tonnes of E-Waste were generated worldwide in 2019. Furthermore, according to The Central Pollution Control Board data, approximately 10.14 lakh tonnes of E-Waste were generated in India in 2019-20.
E-Waste, also known as WEEE (Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment), is made up of broken end-of-life E.E.E. (Electronic and Electrical Equipment) products that have been declared outdated by users. Used and abandoned computers, mobile phones and motherboards, obsolete chargers, CDs, DVDs, headphones, televisions, air conditioners, and other electronic waste are examples of E-Waste. According to the global E-Waste Monitor Report, approximately 53.6 million metric tonnes of E-Waste were generated worldwide in 2019. Furthermore, according to The Central Pollution Control Board data, approximately 10.14 lakh tonnes of EWaste were generated in India in 2019-20.
Who can apply for an E-waste recycling authorization?
According to the rules of the E-Waste (Management) Regulations, 2016, any individual who desires to establish a recycling business in India can register for the E-waste recycling authorization.
Plant for Recycling E-Waste
It is critical to comprehend the notion of E-Waste recycling before beginning the process of obtaining E-Waste Recycling authorization. E-waste recycling is the process of reprocessing any electrical device by separating the components and parts, which are then used as raw materials to manufacture new products. People are becoming more aware of the advantages of E-Waste management, particularly E-Waste recycling, at this time. E-waste recycling plants separate, dismantle, and treat unwanted electronic products.
E-waste Recycling Techniques and Process
Collection Before beginning the actual process of E-Waste recycling, it is critical to correctly collect ewaste from various sources and guarantee that it is transported in an environmentally sound manner.
Sorting When e-waste arrives at a recycling facility, the first step is to sort all materials.
Dismantling After manual sorting, the second phase is manual dismantling, which is a labor-intensive activity. The shattered material is sorted into two categories: that which can be reused and that which must be recycled.
Large-size reduction procedure In this method, the components that cannot be removed are destroyed alongside the other dismantled parts.
The procedure for reducing small size The finer e-waste particles are distributed uniformly on a conveyor belt. The equally distributed e-waste particles are then further broken down.
Magnetic Separation The magnet is used in this phase to extract any magnetic elements from the e-waste, such as steel and iron.
Non-metallic and metallic component separation The sixth phase is the separation of metallic and non-metallic components. After copper, aluminium, and brass are removed, only non-metallic materials remain in the E-Waste detritus.
Water Separation Water separation follows, which separates the plastic fragments from the glass. The recovered materials are resold as raw materials for reuse after separation.
Recovery The now-separated components are released into the market for sale and reuse.
Recyclers require a specific area.
Recycling plants must have a minimum area of 500 square metres and a capacity of one tonne per day.
A recycling plant with a total capacity of 5 M.T./day and an area of approximately 2500 square metres will be preferred.
The Dismantling Procedure
The dismantling operation entails the process of manually or mechanically sorting the components and materials so that the segregated waste can be channelled to the next step of E-Waste recovery. For example, aluminium and steel parts that do not contain any harmful materials can be recycled. Other parts containing hazardous substances must be delivered to authorised e-waste recyclers.
Dismantling process
De-dusting
Manual disassembly
The disassembly method must include physical separation and segregation after physically opening the electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) into the component. Screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, wire cutters, tongs, and hammers, among other instruments, may be used by the dismantler.
Disassembled components must be given to authorised e-waste recyclers or recyclers that possess a valid consent certificate.
Manual dismantling should be done on a large enough breakdown table.
To maintain the factory’s ideal work zone air quality, a de-dusting system is installed. In the Dedusting system, suction hoods should be used.
Collection crates should be placed near the disassembly table to keep the dismantled components together.
During dismantling activities, workers should wear appropriate personal safety equipment such as goggles, masks, gloves, helmets, and gumboots, among other things.
The following elements and components must be removed from end-of-life products and carefully stored before being transported to recyclers:
1.Batteries
2. E.E. Printed Circuit Boards
3. Toner Cartridges
4. Plastic
5. External electrical cables
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Dismantlers should have enough capabilities to deal with leaks of compressor oils, coolant/refrigerant gases such as CFCs/HCFCs, and mercury from end-of-life fluorescent and other mercury-containing bulbs, among other things. To prevent the chemical from spreading to nearby areas, broken fluorescent bulbs and oil spills should be controlled first. For later transfer to hazardous waste TSDFs, dry sand, specialised booms / absorbent pads, stabilising chemicals, and other ways may be employed.
Before the dismantling process may begin, the following conditions must be met:
Water-resistant roofing and impermeable surfaces
Storage place for disassembled spare parts.
Separate storage containers for batteries, capacitors containing PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), and PCTs (polychlorinated triphenyls) (Polychlorinated chlorinated triphenyl).
Dismantlers demand a lot of space.
A dismantler needs space to store electrical and electronic equipment for up to 180 days, space for the dismantling and volume reduction process, space to store dismantled and segregated material, and open space for office/administration and other utilities to move around. A minimum of 300 square metres is expected to be required for raw material storage, separated material storage, dismantle activities, and office/administration & other utilities for a dismantling capability of 1T/day.
Laws that apply to E-Waste Recycling Authorization
The E-Waste Management Regulations 2016 were amended on March 22, 2018, by G.S.R. 261 notice (E). The phase-by-phase collection targets for e-waste in weight will be 10% of waste generation during 2017-18, as stated in the E.P.R. Plan.
The E-Waste recycling authorization process is required under Rule 13(1)(ii), (iii), and (iv) of the E-Waste Management Regulations, 2016 for the producers/recyclers of EEE (Electrical and Electronic Equipment) mentioned in Schedule-1 to the said rules.
Who will gain from the establishment of an E-waste plant in India?
Manufacturers, producers, consumers, bulk consumers, collection centres, dealers, e-retailers, refurbishers, dismantlers, and recyclers who are engaged in manufacturing benefit from the establishment of E-Waste Recycling Facilities.
Requirements to set up E-waste Recycling Plant
To establish an E-waste factory, the following standards must be met:
An E-waste recycling facility requires install wastewater treatment equipment and air pollution control equipment, depending on the procedure in the recycling plant.
Space is required for dismantling equipment, which should be put in areas where manual dismantling is possible.
Noise control equipment should be utilised to avoid the sounds of crushers, shredders, and grinders to prevent noise pollution.
The workers should have safety gear on when on the premise.
Adequate facilities for onsite collection and storage of residues, floor cleaning dust, and other hazardous items must be supplied and sent to a secure landfill facility by establishing an arrangement with the TSDF (Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility) operator.
Licenses required for E-waste Recycling Authorisation
Documents Required for E-waste Recycling Authorisation
When an application for an E-Waste recycling plant is filed to the State Pollution Control Board/Pollution Control Committee, it must be supported by the following documents:
Then if the recycling plant is Pvt Ltd/Public Ltd Company
Rent agreement/Lease agreement/Proof of ownership of the site
Electricity Bill
Aadhaar Card of the recycler
PAN Card of the recycler
GST Certificate
CIN (Certificate of Incorporation)
MOA (Memorandum of Association)
Company PAN Card
Board Declaration for Authorized Signatory
Process for E-waste Recycling Authorisation
The E-Waste Management Act of 2016 governs the process of getting an E-Waste Recycling Authorization from the State Pollution Control Board/Pollution Control Committee. The authorization process for E-Waste Recycling includes filing an application, reviewing the submitted application, and awarding the licence.
The recycler must first register on the state pollution control board’s or Pollution Control Committee’s official website. Upon registration, the Application for E-Waste Recycling Authorization must be completed with all necessary information such as the Name of the Authorized Personnel, Details of the CTO, and etc.
Submitting/Review Application
Furthermore, once the application is finished with the attached document, it must be submitted, after which it is examined by the District Environmental Engineer (DEE) for verification and authentication. If there is an error in the Application submitted with the document, it is returned to the recyclers for correction.
Lastly, if there are no errors in the application and all documents are checked, the E-Waste Recycling Authorisation is issued.
The Central Pollution Control Board is obligated to review the E-Waste recycling authorization application and award EPR-Authorization within 120 days of receipt of the entire application.
Post Compliance Requirements
After receiving E-Waste Recycling authorization from the State Pollution Control Board/Pollution Control Committee, recyclers must follow specific restrictions, including:
Recyclers must give a copy of the destruction certificate issued to them.
Fill complete Form-6 for E-Waste Manifest.
Fill out Form-2 to keep track of E-Waste that has been handled, deconstructed, and recycled.
Hazardous and other waste disposal authorization under the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Regulations, 2016.
Recyclers must additionally file annual reports in Form 3 with the appropriate State Pollution Control Board/Pollution Control Committee.
