Bangalore: Industries generating hazardous waste have to now comply with stricter regulations notified by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. Among other measures, factories have to display large digital signboards at the gate indicating the quantity and nature of the hazardous waste generated.

The industries have to follow the provisions of the Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules. This move complies with directions issued by the Supreme Court in connecting with a public interest litigation.

Authorisation

The Board has said every hazardous waste-generating unit and those recycling or reprocessing such waste have to obtain authorisation from it. This applies to collection, reception, treatment, transport and storage of waste.

Environmental groups have expressed concern about industrial waste as well as e-waste in the form of discarded computers and peripherals, a fallout of Bangalore's thriving IT and IT-enabled services industry.

The law now stipulates that hazardous waste reprocessing units too need to register themselves, and those violating the rules may be closed down. The digital signboards at factory gates should measure 6 ft by 4 ft. These boards have to show updated data on the quantity and nature of hazardous substances handled, the waste generated and details about waste water and emissions into the air.

The Board has said that all burning of both hazardous and non-hazardous industrial waste or dumping them in open places have been banned. All reprocessors of used or waste oil and non-ferrous metals, specified under the pollution control laws, have to be registered with the Central Pollution Control Board as well. Otherwise they have to close down and obtain registration before restarting.

Annual returns

Annual returns regarding handling of hazardous waste have to be submitted by the end of January every year. This is in addition to valid consent from the Boards under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

Industries and recycling units requiring more details about the regulations have been asked to visit the Board's website, http://kspcb.kar.nic. in, or contact the Board's Hazardous Waste Management Cell.

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