It had come to the notice of the Government of Himachal Pradesh that the current e-waste disposal practices did not align with the “E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016” notified by the Ministry of Environment.
Forest and Climate Change as well as the guidelines issued by the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB). This highlighted the urgent need for a structured process to ensure compliance with these rules and mitigate the environmental risks posed by the unscientific disposal of e-waste.
Existing Government regulations, such as the “HPF financial Rules, 2009” and provisions in the Office Manual, lacked specific provisions for the scientific disposal of e-waste. These regulations primarily relied on auction procedures that did not guarantee adherence to the “E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016” and associated management standards.
After due consideration of this issue, the Government of Himachal Pradesh, Department of Environment, Science, Technology & Climate Change, has issued an “Office Memorandum (No. STE-F(2)-2/2017-loose, dated 9th December 2024)”.
This memorandum mandates that all E-waste generated by Government Departments, Boards, Corporations and Commissions must be disposed of in accordance with “Rule 9 of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016”.
As per this memorandum E-waste must be channelized through authorized collection centers, dealers of producers, dismantlers, recyclers, or designated take-back service providers of producers to authorized dismantlers or recyclers.
Only authorized e-waste collection centers, dealers of producers, dismantlers, or recyclers registered with the “HP State Pollution Control Board” or the “Central Pollution Control Board” will be permitted to participate in the auction process for e-waste.
In this context, the Department appeals to all Government Departments, Boards, Corporations, Commissions, NGOs, and the citizens of Himachal Pradesh to actively participate in keeping the environment clean and free from the harmful effects of e-waste. E-waste must be hand over only to authorized recycling centers.
E-waste contains toxic components that can harm the environment and public health if not managed properly. To minimize the risks yet it is crucial to dispose of e-waste responsibly by following established guidelines and recycling mechanisms.
The Department urges everyone to:
1. Avoid dumping e-waste in open spaces or with general waste.
2. Hand over e-waste only to authorized recycling centers.
3. Spread awareness about the importance of e-waste management within their communities.
4. Ensure that all Government Departments, Boards, Corporations, and Commissions Strictly adhere to the instructions outlined in the aforementioned Office Memorandum.
Let us work together to make Himachal Pradesh a clean, green and Sustainable state.
Strict Guidelines for E-Waste Disposal in Himachal Pradesh: What You Need to Know
