In order to prevent the country from becoming a dumping yard for industrialized nations, the Environment ministry has announced the new Hazardous Waste Rules to resource recovery and disposal of hazardous waste in environmentally sound manner. For the first time, Rules have been made to distinguish between Hazardous Waste and other wastes. The ambit of the Rules has been expanded by including ‘Other Waste’, which include waste tyre, paper waste, metal scrap, used electronic items, etc. and are recognized as a resource for recycling and reuse. These resources supplement the industrial processes and reduce the load on the virgin resource of the country.
The Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 notified by the Union environment ministry, which replaces its older version made in 2008, has banned the import of waste edible fats and oil of animals, or vegetable origin, Household waste, Critical Care Medical equipment, Tyres for direct re-use purpose, Solid Plastic wastes including Pet bottles, Waste electrical and electronic assemblies scrap and other chemical wastes especially in solvent form.
However, metal scrap, paper waste and various categories of electrical and electronic equipment for re-use purpose can be imported without permission from the environment ministry. The Rules also simplify a range of procedures to merge all the approvals as a single window clearance for setting up of hazardous waste disposal facility and import of other wastes.
E-waste has posed a serious health hazard in the last many years with the range and number of gadgets increasing and their use becoming a part of the habits and lifestyles of people. As per the information furnished by CPCB in the year 2015, the total hazardous waste generation in the country is 7.46 million metric tonnes per annum from about 44,000 industries. The new hazardous waste rules will ensure resource recovery and disposal of hazardous waste in an environmentally sound manner.
