Bangalore: As the information technology hub of the region, Bangalore generates thousands of tonnes of electronic waste.

To this can be added almost an equal quantity of imported electronic scrap and computer parts. They are partly recycled, and what is left is burned or thrown away causing pollution and health hazards.

A pilot project to manage e-waste without causing ecological damage has been set up close to the city by P. Parthasarathy, a postgraduate from IIT-Madras and now a Bangalore-based entrepreneur.

e-Parisara functions from an industrial estate in Dobbspet, about 40 km from here, and has been encouraged by the Central and State Pollution Control Boards who would like it replicated in all major cities in the country.

Recycling

This initiative, the first of its kind, attempts to carefully recycle old computers, their components and other e-waste, generated by both IT companies and electronic manufacturers into social and economically useful raw material than can be reused.

The technology used is indigenous, according to Mr. Parthasarathy.

e-waste consists of used, obsolete and damaged electronic and electrical equipment and discarded scrap.

At e-Parisara the more hazardous components such as chromium, arsenic, mercury, nickel, cadmium, lead and zinc sulphate are separated from the material they are contained in. Plastic and glass waste is sold to recyclers authorised by the Karnataka State Pollutuion Control Board.

The metal content that can be safely reused is separated and the rest carefully buried without contaminating the soil or ground water.

Capacity

e-Parisara has equipment to recycle up to three tonnes of waste a day, but is dealing with around one tonne right now. Many corporates such as IBM, Tate Elxsi, ABB and Phillips are among its clients. But many major IT firms are yet to send their e-waste or stipulate difficult conditions, Mr. Parthasarathy said.

According to industry surveys, 8,000 to 10,000 tonnes of e-waste is generated each year by IT firms and electronics manufacturers in and around Bangalore.

While the larger companies have warehouses for storing the waste, others sell them to small-time scrap dealers.

The dealers, many concentrated around Mysore Road, often employ women and children to deal with the scrap and remove usable metal.

What cannot be used at all is thrown into fields and channels or burned under unsafe conditions. Apart affecting the health of the employees of the scrap dealers, air, soil and ground water get polluted.

The e-Parisara example may be one workable solution.

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