Establishing E-Waste Channels to Enhance Environment Friendly Recycling (WEEE-Recycle) Location: India (Delhi (NCR), Bangalore, Kolkata and Pune) Duration: January 2010 December 2013 (48 months)
Fact & Figures Objective: To reduce the pollution due to recycling of e-waste in the unorganized sector in 4 urban areas by encouraging environmentally sound recycling through a collective effort of all the relevant stakeholders in the value chain. Handling of e-waste by informal sector wokers results in harmful emissions Grant: EUR 2,004,045.37 Target Group: Manufacturers Association of Information Technology (Partner Organisation) Manufacturers of IT equipments in India In the project cities viz. Delhi (NCR), Bangalore, Kolkata and Pune work with: WEEE Recycling SMEs Formal Sector Recycling Units Large Generators Further Information: IEeWASTE project was implemented by GIZ-ASEM from 2007 to 2009 (Delhi) which focussed on integrating informal sector with formal sector GIZ-ASEM was partner in Indo-German Swiss E-waste (InDeCH) initiave focussing on developing clean e-waste channels in Delhi and Bangalore Governmental Authorities, Local Communities, Civil Society, Consumer Organisations, Retailers and Consumers
Impact in numbers Draft Policy on e-waste management notified in May 2011by MoEF, Govt. Of India. The project team prepared the first draft of the policy. Guidelines for implementation of Rules is being drafted. E-WaRDD and EcoBIRDD registered with the regulatory authorities as a formal recycler (Bangalore). In Delhi, two companies are registered who have networks for collection of e-waste spread across four zones in Delhi. The companies bring with them hundreds of supply chain members. In Pune, the union of waste pickers (of more than 7000 waste pickers) is now willing to formalize a section of their membership who collect waste from lakhs of households in both Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The project interacts with policy makers in 3 National Ministries and Governments of 4 different states on a regular basis. (Before) E-WaRDD (Before) EcoBIRDD (After) (After)
Personal experience of change GIZ activities have enhanced our capacities and skills and made us a formal sector. Initially we were informal sector and all our operations were illegal. Now in October 2010, we were granted a certificate to operate (CFO) a recycling facility by Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. The processing of precious metals that we perform now has regular monitoring of emissions, better safety standards for workers and higher extraction efficiency. We feel now to be at par with any other formal recycler in the country. Rizwan and Syed, EcoBIRDD Name of the Interviewee Rizwan, EcoBIRDD Function : Director Age: 37
Indicators for impact assessment: The material leakage to the informal sector has reduced as auction of e-waste is disallowed in Delhi; Companies are registered with KSPCB and CPCB in Bangalore, in Delhi application is under process; In Pune, city core group has been formed and Pune action plan for management of e-waste for entire city has been completed; Draft Rules on e-waste management based on EPR have been notified in May, 2011; Papers on mainstreaming informal sector, policy cycle and cooperation model have been published in international journals, magazines and various fora.
How to make a difference. The changing legislative framework in India and increased awareness levels is enhancing the business case for e-waste recycling in the country. The outreach of people in the network of the registered companies (in four cities) creates a demand for the cooperation model supporting the creation of a win-win situation for both (formal & informal sector). The guidelines for implementation of Rules, disposal guidelines for bulk generators and manufacturers will improve the supply chain management.
Specific lessons learnt from replication What are the best ways to speak/reach out to SMEs in large numbers? Trust building and showcasing success stories/ case studies of entrepreneurs who have made the shift from informal to formal. Trainings through AV/ films showcasing e-waste handling by following safety norms. How did you make SCP a self-propelling business case for the SMEs? Or: did you convince a SME owner to adapt SCP practices? Policy is an important tool to convince the SMEs but the approach of command-control, closure and relocation does not offer a solution. How do you convince policy-makers to promote SCP practises? By showcasing successful pilots which work in the absence of any action by the policy maker. The policy makers support is required for up scaling and also a potential market creator. Successful pilots also showcase the need for an enabling legislation, if necessary. Organizing multi-stakeholder dialogues with strong participation by conflicting interests. Due to changing regulatory framework, the informal sector (MSMEs) are not able to get e-waste which forces them to adapt to the change and participate in the project. Establish the other drivers environmental, social and economic
Steps to communicate lessons on replication and impact: Visual identity of WEEE Recycle project has been created as per the project visibility and communication plan. The website (http://www.weeerecycle.in) has dynamic pages for showcasing green initiatives of brands, expert speak section and also the recyclers present in the four project cities for higher visibility and sustainability. The website has a internal CMS system which makes it possible to update the contents on day to day basis envisaged to be handed over to the industry association.. The mode of trainings are ToT which ensures replication of knowledge and skills. Also the trainings modules are supported with a training reader which facilitates the usage of training material by any other trainer. GIZ-ASEM is also developing a Guideline for the implementation of the Rules which requires practical models for implementation of EPR in India. The approach of formalizing the informal sector and mainstreaming them has been taken up now by Dept. of Information and Technology and Ministry of MSME, Govt. of India. Case studies of all companies would be prepared by EOP for dissemination purposes.
THANK YOU! Contact: Name: Dr. Ashish Chaturvedi/ Mr. Satish Sinha Street, District: A-33, Gulmohar Park, New Delhi City : New Delhi/ Country : India Email: ashish.chaturvedi@giz.de / satish@toxicslink.org