E-Waste - GS questions based on daily current affairs

1)   Which of the following is/are true regarding E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016?

1) Collection Centers can be set up by producer or by any person or agency or association for the purpose of collecting e-waste.
2) Bulk Consumers now include healthcare facilities which have turnover of more than one crore or have more than twenty employees


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:

  • Collection is now exclusively Producer’s responsibility, which can set up collection centre or point or even can arrange buy back mechanism for such collection.
  • No separate authorization from SPCBs for such collection will be required, which will be indicated in the EPR Plan of Producers.
  • Shift from collection centre to collection mechanism approach and removal of need of separate authorization will ensure effective collection simultaneously ensuring flexibility for Producers for implementation.
  • This will check leakage of flow of e-waste to unauthorised players.
  • Option has been given for setting up of PRO, e-waste exchange, e-retailer, Deposit Refund Scheme as additional channel for implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) by Producers to ensure efficient channelization of e-waste.
  • Bulk Consumer is being redefined by adding ‘and health care facilities which have turnover of more than one crore or have more than twenty employees. They need to file annual returns.


2)   Which of the following is/are true regarding E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016?

1) Target based approach for implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) has been adopted on the basis of existing international best practices.
2) The publicity and awareness programmes are to be the area of the State and Central Governments and spending for it should be from Government funds.


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:

  • Collection and channelisation of e-waste in Extended Producer Responsibility - Authorisation shall be in line with the targets prescribed in the rules.
  • The phase wise Collection Target for e-waste, which can be either in number or Weight shall be 30% of the quantity of waste generation as indicated in EPR Plan during first two year of implementation of rules followed by 40% during third and fourth years, 50% during fifth and sixth years and 70% during seventh year onwards.
  • Thus producers will have to ensure 30 per cent e-waste collection, based on their projected sales, by 2018 and 70 per cent by 2023.
  • They also have to pay for publicity and awareness programmes.


3)   Which of the following is/are economic Instrument/s for implementation of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016?

1) E-waste exchange
2) Deposit Refund Scheme


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

  • The e-waste exchange as an option has been provided in the rules as an independent market instrument offering assistance or independent electronic systems offering services for sale and purchase of e-waste generated from end-of life electrical and electronic equipment between agencies or organizations authorized under these rules.
  • Deposit Refund Scheme has been introduced as an additional economic instrument wherein the producer charges an additional amount as a deposit at the time of sale of the electrical and electronic equipment and returns it to the consumer along with interest when the end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment is returned.