Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi   

Coordinated efforts help in e-waste management

PHOTO: R. M. RAJARATHINAM

Efficient handling:S. Kannan, Commissioner, Customs and Central Excise, speaking at a confrence in Tiruchi on Thursday. —

TIRUCHI: A co-ordinated effort by manufacturers, adoption of improved dismantling and re-cycling techniques and above all strict enforcement of legal provisions will go a long way in ensuring efficient e-waste management, said S. Kannan, Commissioner, Customs and Central Excise, Chennai.

Speaking at a regional conference on ‘e-waste management' organised by the Department of Social Work of Bharathidasan University College (Women), Orathanadu, at the university here on Thursday, Mr. Kannan said that more efficient steps should be taken for e-waste management. Electronic goods losing their charm within a short period of time was one of the major challenges of e-waste management. However, it could be tackled through assistance from the manufacturing industry. For instance, a specific product-making company should be assigned the responsibility of dismantling it after the product became outdated. This would result in twin advantages – perfection in dismantling and efficiency in recycling of the components. Pointing out that e-waste management would form part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Mr. Kannan said that the manufacturing industry should ensure a buy-back arrangement for outdated e-goods.

Mr. Kannan explained the steps being taken by the Customs and Central Excise Department in avoiding any illegal dumping of e-wastes in our country.

M. Ponnavaikko, Vice-Chancellor of the University, who inaugurated the seminar, said that countries such as California adopted strict rules and regulations for checking the electrical and electronics waste. The university possessed a large number of computers with outdated programmes. Although it wanted to donate these outdated computers to schools, there were no takers, he said. G. Arun Senthil Ram, Regional Program Head, Toxics Link; Ram Ramachandran, Managing Director, TES-AMM, were among those who spoke.

Premakumari Marshal, Principal (in-charge) of the college spoke on the objective of the seminar.

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