E-waste or electronic waste is indeed a relevant problem in present times. No longer can one turn a blind eye to this reality, and it is time that the governments took the necessary measures to eliminate e-waste in the best possible way without harming the environment. However, for this to happen, the citizens of the city are equally responsible for sorting out their e-waste and disposing of it in a sensible manner in keeping with the guidelines given out by the government.
The people living in greater Hyderabad have every reason to worry as e-waste is increasing tremendously in the city, which is the IT hub of the country. A study by Environmental Protection Training Research Institute (EPTRI), Hyderabad, showed that the annual e-waste of greater Hyderabad is presently 40,000 tonnes per annum. The institute also warned that the waste would go up to 1 lakh tonnes in the next five years, which is a reason to be alarmed. In addition, the EPTRI also suggested that if the e-waste is not disposed of properly, it could be detrimental to the health of people and will mean an environmental hazard.
Though the city’s e-waste is treated scientifically, the collection of e-waste is not satisfactory as many dump their e-waste along with the household waste. The sad part is that all this e-waste goes untreated directly into landfills.
In fact, the city has e-waste centers in Kukatpally, Khairatabad, Hafeezpet, Jubilee Hills, and Secunderabad. On its part, EPTRI has suggested that the state pollution control board (PCB) increase the number of collection centers in the city and also organize awareness drives to educate citizens on e-waste disposal.
E-waste contains hydrocarbons and heavy metals, which, when not treated properly, can enter the waterbodies and destroy food chains and ecosystems before contaminating resources such as soil, water, and air. So, when people inhale toxic air, then it affects their nervous and blood circulatory systems.