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| EDITORIAL |
| Build Expertise, Secure Livelihoods and Environment |
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Build Expertise, Secure Livelihoods and Environment
The saga of information technology era with fostering growth of electronics and electrical industry has boomeranged with heaps of archaic computers, laptops, mobile phones, televisions etc due to higher obsolescence rates. We have put innumerable efforts not only to visualize but also to materialize the e-waste management structures in India. Few years back when we visited the clustered streets of East Delhi for getting an insight of electronic scrap and its handling by the "informal sector" or "kabariwala" we had to return without a convivial response. Incessant trials led to cracking a nut by identifying group leaders who were willing for a change with pro approach towards environment and legislation but not at the cost of livelihoods. With focused strategy of dovetailing linkages between informal and formal sector, we started the process of piloting cooperation models for holistic management of e-waste.
The critical issues to be addressed were secure livelihoods, and to enhance reuse and recycling capacities without conciliation of health and environment. The process head started by formulating an association of informal sector workers as 4R (Responsible Recycling Recovering Reuse) Welfare Association, a NCR based group of informal sector workers for disposal of e-waste as per the complying guidelines and future legislative framework. The amalgamation of informal sector within the formal e-waste channels supports the National Environmental Policy, 2006. Also the multistakeholder approach paves way for national level impacts through key player dialogues with the industry, manufacturers association, government and non-governmental bodies for consensus building on e-waste legislative system in India. Beginning of this year a delegation of informal sector workers were sent to Europe for an Exposure Visit for drawing experiences and learning's on best practices for e-waste dismantling. The exposure visit showcased cleaner technologies in dismantling which maneuvered prototypes and business plans devised by informal sector associations as a follow up. The association members are now looking forward to set up a "Model Workshop" equipped and committed for environmental compliance to e-waste management. Other than securing livelihoods the capacity building interventions has also led towards enhancing confidence and marketing skills in the "informal sector".
Dr. Rachna Arora
Editor
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