The electronic waste generated due to discarded computers, mobile phones and other gadgets is all set to take a heavy toll on human health and the environment in India unless immediate steps are taken to collect and recycle this waste.

By 2020, e-waste from old computers will have jumped by 500 per cent from 2007 levels in the country, a UN report released on Monday has warned.

Most e-waste in the country is improperly handled, much of it incinerated by backyard recyclers to recover valuable metals like gold. This type of recycling in the informal sector releases steady plumes of far-reaching toxic pollution and yield very low metal recovery rates compared to well equipped industrial recycling facilities.

Currently, India generates over 100,000 tons of waste from refrigerators, 2,75,000 tons from TVs, 56,300 tons from personal computers, 4,700 tons from printers and 1,700 tons from mobile phones. This data does not include waste imports, both legal and illegal, which are substantial in volume.

The global e- waste generation is growing by about 40 million tons a year.

In addition to curbing health problems, proper recycling can boost employment, cut greenhouse gas emissions and recover a wide range of valuable metals including silver, gold, palladium, copper and indium, the report said.

RISK FACTOR

Global e- waste up 40mn tons a year

E-waste contains lead, mercury, cadmium, and polybrominated flame retardants. These are persistent, bio-accumulative toxins (PBTs) and create eco and health risks when computers are recycled

Incineration of e-wastes leads to release of mercury vapour, while burning of PVC plastic releases highly toxic dioxins and Furans. Released gases, acid solutions, toxic smoke and contaminated ashes endanger health of workers in backyard recycling

PBTs can enter food chain when released in ecosystem