Category: Re-Commerce

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OMG! all this is e-waste?

E-waste or electronic waste, therefore, broadly describes loosely discarded, surplus, obsolete, broken, electrical or electronic devices. However, for regulation purposes and for the benefit of recyclers E Waste has been classified in various ways. Categorization also identifies the responsibility for the disposal of the E Waste.

“Update: ZeroWaste is now InstaCash”

Historic & Non Historic E Waste — One of the several ways of enlisting E Waste into categories is terming these as Historic & Non Historic.

Historic E Waste are those which came into being before the promulgation of any laws and makes the Owner of the E-waste responsible for its proper recycling. Whereas, Non — Historic E Waste are the ones which were produced after the notification and thus puts the responsibility of its recovery and recycling or disposal on the producers.

In India the people the Government notified the Rules and guidelines in May 2011 to become effective from May 2012.

Main Categories of EEE covered in Indian E-Waste Rules

The categories of electrical and electronic equipment covered under the rules of the E-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 in India can be enumerated as under.

IT and telecommunication equipment:

  • Centralized data processing; Mainframes, Minicomputers; Personal computing; Personal computers (Central processing unit with input and output devices), Laptop computers (Central processing unit with input and output devices), Notebook computers, Notepad computers, Printers including cartridges, Copying equipment, Electrical and electronic typewriters, User terminals and systems, Facsimile, Telex, Telephones, Pay telephones, Cordless telephones, Cellular telephones, Answering systems

Consumer electronics:

  • Television sets (including sets based on (Liquid Crystal Display and Light Emitting Diode technology), Refrigerator, Washing Machine, Air-Conditioners excluding centralized air conditioning plants.

Categories of EEE covered in European Commission Directive

The European Commission considers E Waste as Historic if placed on the market prior to 2005. The directive places the onus upon the owner of the equipment to make provisions for its recycling. Where equipment was placed on the market after 2005, it is known as non-historic WEEE (denoted by a bar underneath the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol), and it is the responsibility of the producer/distributor to make provisions for its collection and recycling.

In another fashion the WEEE directive sets a total of 10 categories of WEEE for reporting purposes. These 10 categories are based as per voltage rating of 1000 volts for alternating current and 1500 volts for direct current. The EEE has been further classified into ‘components’, ‘sub-assemblies’ and ‘consumables’

  • Large household appliances
  • Small household appliances
  • IT and telecommunications equipment
  • Consumer equipment
  • Lighting equipment
  • Electrical and electronic tools
  • Toys, leisure and sports equipment
  • Medical devices
  • Monitoring and control instruments
  • Automatic dispensers

Hazardous electronic wastes comprise

  • Uninterruptable power supplies, lead-acid batteries
  • Cathode ray tubes (televisions, computer monitors)
  • Fluorescent tubes, backlights to laptop screens, thin-film transistors
  • Electrical/electronic equipment containing polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)
  • Fridges and freezers, due to chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), an ozone-depleting substance. As of 2012 revisions to the regulations, all refrigerants are considered Hazardous.

WEEE that is delivered to household waste recycling centres (HWRC), also known as designated collection facilities (DCFs), is collected by or delivered to approved & authorised treatment facilities (AATFs). The waste electrical and electronic equipment is then weighed and categorized in accordance with the directive.

For more information or to join ZeroWaste ‘Buy One, Recycle One Mission get in touch with us at info@getinstacash.in |www.getinstacash.in

Note: This post was originally published in August 2015 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Who plays with your old e-toys?

WHO had raised several concerns regarding children health and injuries through e-waste. A recent study by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), revealed that over 35,000 to 45,000 child labourers aged between 10–14 works around the e-waste areas, and faces several injuries and deaths while dismantling the e-waste. There is a strong force from the chamber for effective legislation in preventing the poor children from such working areas. We are exhibiting a techno-aligned life and in doing so we are consciously or unconsciously impacting various other lives with an add-on evil for nature.

“Update: ZeroWaste is now InstaCash”

The hideous profile of India

  • Delhi, itself produces roughly around 50,000 metric tons of e-waste. With a GDP growth of 7.5 percent, and a population of 125cr, India ranks high in terms of e-waste generation.
  • The ASSOCHAM report highlights that as many as 8,500 mobile phones, 5,500 TVs and 3,000 personal computers are dismantled in the capital city, Delhi every day for reuse of their component parts and materials.
  • The figure is booming with the advent of technology and new launches. Delhi has emerged as the main hub of e-waste recycling in the country with the e-waste from Mumbai, Bangalore and other cities reaching in there.

Their Health, Our Concern

The mounds of junk or e-waste has created as a great source for poor children to satiate their playful self by these e-gadgets which is a waste for riches but the only joyous element for them. The e-waste has certain toxic elements like lead, mercury, and cadmium which harms the health as well as injures the children. The dumping zone or the trash is accumulated in an open ground where they reach with their families to become prey of these fancy waste products. The exposure to these harmful by-products can lead to nausea, irritability, vomiting and several other ailments to a healthy person, then till what extent it can affect children?

Where are we heading?

The implementation of strong legislation for proper recycling and organized dumping is quite essential at this point of time. It apparently needs awareness and an eye-opener for those who dispose their old goods unethically. Children have a right to education, smile, play, joy, everything. They need to be protected from this misfortune. In this battle, one of the biggest wildcards can only be human behavior. If people are not convinced to participate in this race, even the best designed system will collapse. Therefore, we as humans need to practice our duties and establish a rigid structure of organized discarding.

Note: This post was originally published in June 2015 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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4 things to know about your old mobiles

Now almost the entire humanity is using electrical and electronic gadgets and devices at homes or work places. They have become inextricable parts of our lives. The digital morning clock wakes us up, the geysers give us warm bath, we read our news on tabs, we communicate through our mobiles, food gets cooked in microwave, we manage our work on laptops, and watch favorite programs on the television before we go to bed. From the time we wake up till we say good night and in between electronic and electrical devices help us live comfortably. With time they wear down or with each technological upgrade we replace them with newer ones.

“Update: ZeroWaste is now InstaCash”

When equipments become obsolete with disuse, breakage, and downgrade generally end up lying discarded at our homes and work places. In such state these are termed as E Waste. Here are three things you should know about these old damaged electrical and electronic equipments or E Waste.

  1. E Waste can be repaired: These discarded equipments, devices or gadgets can be repaired, refurbished for further use.
  2. E Waste can be reused: In their irreparable condition these can be extracted in whole or in part for elements that can still be to augment in the manufacture of other devices.
  3. E Waste need to be disposed off responsibly: The electronic and electrical appliances until their utility lives are pretty innocuous. However beyond their lives they start disintegrating into harmful compounds. In a condition where nothing can be salvaged these need to be carefully handled and disposed off with scientific methods and under the laws of the land for the proper care and well being of the environment.
  4. E Waste disposal solution: Appointed as an authorized E Waste handler ZeroWaste collects and sends old, dead and discarded electrical and electronic gadgets for recycle, reuse or dismantling perfectly in sync with our environment.

Offering several opportunities ZeroWaste gives Cash in exchange of the E Waste and it also offers Smart Credits to purchase new electronic items under its ‘But One, Recycle One’ program.

Contact ZeroWaste today for all your E Waste lying at your home and work places. It is the ‘Simplest way to dispose your electronic waste’.

Note: This post was originally published in April 2015 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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