The Maharashtra E-Waste Association (MEWA) has been invited by the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) to get suggestions on the draft of the E-Waste (Handling and Management) Rules, 2010.The initiative is being taken by Clean Sweep Forum, an NGO, advocating proper waste management for the last eight years.

The large quantity of electronic waste generated in Navi Mumbai, Pune as well as Mumbai, will soon be handled in a scientific way at an integrated e-waste facility in the Mumbai metropolitan region (MMR). The MMRDA is about to set up an e-waste plant within its operational limits, preferably at Taloja.

Mumbai generates nearly 15,000 tonnes of e-waste every year. With its association with TERI – The Energy resource Institute, MMRDA is planning to develop environment friendly infrastructure facilities for the region. The plant would be set on about 10 acres of land which would also consist of a plant worth Rs 76 cr for extraction of precious metals like gold, silver and chromium present in e-waste.

The authority also plans to set up various the collection centres within the region. With the functioning of the plant, the land and water pollution in the region will probably reduce to a mere 2%, say officials.The techno-economic feasibility study of such a facility has already been completed by the state environment department and the MPCB told TNM.

Source: Mumbai Mirror