FCC

State Government Unveils E-Waste Policy to Reclaim Valuable Metals

2023-06-01

To prevent loss of valuable metals from e-waste, the state government is crafting an e-waste management policy, set to be revealed on June 5. It will ensure that only authorised dealers can collect e-waste.

Valuable metals like gold, silver, platinum, and palladium worth millions of rupees are being wasted in the state due to improper disposal of e-waste. In addition to causing financial losses, this unorganised disposal negatively impacts the environment, as it requires mining for the precious metals used in electronic devices like mobile phones, laptops, monitors, and televisions.

"The importance of recovering precious metals from e-waste needs to be stressed at this critical juncture. We must recognise the untapped potential of these metals within electronic devices during this phase of growing connectivity and electronic transmission," stated Naveen Mahajan, chairperson of the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB).

He further added, "By implementing advanced recovery techniques in the e-waste recycling sector, we can mitigate environmental hazards and focus on sustainability."

An RSPCB official mentioned that the e-waste management policy will ensure proper disposal of e-waste through appropriate channels and facilitate the recovery of precious metals.

Recently, the RSPCB organized a meeting with recyclers to discuss e-waste management, including emerging business opportunities in the sector and promoting end-to-end recycling. The board will also conduct awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the concept of turning e-trash into e-treasure and encourage proper disposal of e-waste through authorised agencies. The workshop aimed to raise awareness about the challenges faced by the e-waste sector and the extraction of precious metals.

Also Read

BMC completes Mumbai's final undersea tunnel for Coastal Road Project

Pune Municipal Corporation resumes Katraj-Kondhwa road widening project