A Gap Analysis in Selected Asian Countries, 3R Knowledge Hub ...

BACKGROUND
Urbanization and uncontrolled population
growth have made waste management a
delicate issue in India. Though an essential
service, management of waste has been
gaining due priority only in recent years. Lack
of financial resources, institutional weaknesses,
improper choice of technology and public
apathy towards waste management has made
this service far from satisfaction. Current
practices of uncontrolled dumping of waste on
the outskirts of towns/cities has created
serious environmental and public health
problems. On the other hand, pollution from
industrial wastes has rendered many places
unlivable in the country. A comprehensive
approach towards resolving waste management
issues in India is the application of 3R.
A survey of information available to the public
domain was performed to assess the gaps in
implementing 3R in India. For this purpose,
wastes from three major sources i.e. urban
municipal, healthcare and e-wastes have been
considered.
PRIORITY AREAS
An analysis of generation rate, current
management practices and available
technologies for waste handling and disposal in
India identifies e-waste as a priority area. The
Indo-German-Swiss joint research and action
program on e-waste in India confirms the
burning issue of e-waste. Various initiatives in
bringing together all stakeholders of e-waste
generation towards making joint efforts can be
further eased and accelerated by introducing
appropriate technologies. Implementing 3R
principles in the handling of e-waste can yield
immediate results.
3.6
India
Manual dismantling of Circuit boards
Image source: 3R S.A. Expert Workshop Proceeding,
Kathmandu, Nepal 2006
Chapter 3: Country Analysis
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