Introduction: E-waste Management Techniques in India

Every activity leads to the generation of waste. This generated waste if not handled properly creates a nuisance. To deal with this problem and scientifically manage waste, it is important to build projects for managing waste that is financially and technologically viable. Suitable processes should be adopted considering capital costs, operational costs, the complexity of technology, environmental considerations, and the feasibility of operations in local conditions.

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Since the launch of the Swachh Bharat initiative, waste management infrastructure for different categories of waste got a thrust. The standardization of waste management technologies is required to suit the Indian scenario. To fulfil these requirements Standing Committee on Technology for E-Waste Management has been constituted to guide the development of indigenous technologies and innovative waste management practices.

The Protocol for Evaluation of Technology for Waste Management is mentioned below:

Submission of Application to SPCB

• A completely filled application should be submitted to the SPCB/PCC by the applicant in the prescribed format. The applicant should request to forward the application to CPCB.
• The concerned SPCB must endorse the application and forward it to CPCB within 15 days.
• The waste management proposals, other than solid waste, may be directly submitted to CPCB.

Evaluation of Technology

• CPCB reviews the application after receiving it from SPCB. CPCB refers this application to the Standing Committee.
• The application review shall be completed within 30 days. The committee shall consider the following aspects while reviewing the application:

1. Environmental soundness of the proposal 
2. Technical feasibility 
3. Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 
4. Input quality acceptable and assured output matrix 
5. Practical issues with respect to operations 
6. Potential to cause health risks to waste handlers/operators 
7. Pollution potential of emissions/discharges; 
8. Adequacy of the proposed facility for control of pollution; 
9. Quantity of residue/waste generated; Residue Management 
10. Quality of the product/s generated, its marketability, and strategies adopted for marketing 
11. Proof of compliance / national or international certifications if any

• To understand the level of the proposed technology, the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is required. If these trials are for below TRL 7, the Committee can take a call whether to consider/support the application, which is not completely a matured technology.

• The need for conducting a trial run and monitoring shall be assessed if the proposal is found satisfactory. 
• A pilot-scale plant for conducting trials should be set up by the applicant. Protocol for the trial run should be specified. Trial study standards should be compared with notified standards and available international standards of a similar process.
• CPCB should issue a formal letter specifying the above-mentioned protocol to the applicant for conducting the trial. A copy is to be given to SPCB/PCC, concerned state department, and CPCB Regional Directorate.
• While handling, storage, transportation, utilization of the waste, the applicant must take all precautions. NABL accredited laboratory should be employed by the applicant to carry out monitoring/analysis during the trial run. The lab should submit results directly to CPCB and SPCB for evaluation.
• The trial run should be completed jointly by CPCB Regional Directorate and concerned SPCB/PCC and the report should be submitted to CPCB within one month.
• The monitoring of trial run by the laboratory should be carried out in presence of CPCB and SPCB/PCC officials, who shall also collect samples for cross verification. If required, CPCB/SPCBs might conduct entire trial runs on their own.
• After verification, a detailed evaluation of the technology shall be carried out by the committee.
• The evaluation should be completed within one month of receipt of the trial run report. Approval of CPCB is essential for the decision on consideration of the protocol. The committee recommendation should be according to the specified criteria. 

• CPCB may develop SOPs and checklists for utilization of wastes based on reports. The conditions specified in the SOPs shall be part of permission/consent issued by SPCB/PCC.
• The performance standards and emission norms for the proposed technologies should be laid down by CPCB. 

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