“Let us take care of your electronic waste!” – CEA

To ensure an e-waste free environment in Sri Lanka, the Central Environment Authority (CEA) together with over a dozen business organisations who are operating in home electronics, information technology, telecommunications industries and waste management service providers have launched an electronic waste management project to eradicate the growing e-waste crisis in Sri Lanka.

The Electronic Waste Management project is and environmental relief programme where people can hand over their e-waste to any of the partner organisations appointed by the CEA, without stocking it at home. Acting as collection centers of e-waste, the island-wide network of already existing branches of these partner organisations will accept or pick up any unwanted electronic appliances from the general public.

According to the CEA, “Electronic waste” may be defined as all obsolete electronic devices such as computers, servers, main frames, monitors, TVs & display devices, telecommunication devices such as cellular phones & pagers, calculators, audio and video devices, printers, scanners, copiers and fax machines besides refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, and microwave ovens. E-waste also covers recording devices such as DVDs, CDs, floppies, tapes, printing cartridges, military electronic waste, automobile catalytic converters, electronic components such as chips, processors, mother boards, printed circuit boards, industrial electronics such as sensors, alarms, sirens, security devices, automobile electronic devices etc., whether sold, donated, or discarded by their original owners. This definition includes used electronics which are destined for reuse, resale, salvage, recycling, or disposal. Rapid changes in technology, low initial cost, and planned obsolescence have resulted in a fast-growing surplus of electronic waste around the globe.  Charitha Herath, Chairman, Central Environmental Authority, regards electronic waste as a “rapidly expanding” issue. “With the steady growth of new technology and the extensive use of computers and electronic equipment, the quantity of electronic items for disposal shows a rapid increase globally. As the responsible regulatory agency for sustainable environmental management, The Central Environmental Authority is pleased to collaborate with 14 private sector parties on launching this programme on e-waste management. I have no doubt that this joint programme will help in reaching our goal of a clean and green environment, free of pollution due to e-waste,” he averred.

Speaking at the launch event, Minister of Environment, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa stated that, “Electronic waste or e-waste is one of the rapidly growing environmental problems worldwide. A well organised strategy including a comprehensive legal framework and practical management system is essential for environmentally sound management of e-waste. The cooperation and collaboration of all the sectors including most importantly the general public is vital in this regard. This cooperate e-waste management programme is a milestone in achieving a healthy and safe environment in the country for present and future generations. The timely involvement of the CEA to minimise environmental pollution from e-waste is praiseworthy.”

Associated with the Central Environment Authority on the E-Waste Management Project are 14 partner organisations – including Sri Lanka Telecom, Mobitel, Dialog, Etiselat, Hutch and Lanka Bell from the telecommunications industry, Singer and Abans from the home appliances industry, Metropolitan, E-Wis, Virtusa and ABC Trade & Investments from the office appliances industry together with service providers Geo Cycle and Green Link for bulk quantities and e-waste, who’s management was seen signing the all important memorandum of understanding with the Minister of Environment and the Chairman of the CEA at the launch event which was held at the BMICH today (quotes from each of the partners, stated below can be used as appropriate).

According to the Mahinda Chintana, “Management of the output of all waste products and their disposal in a manner that will cause minimum adverse impact on the environment” is a social responsibility of every citizen of Sri Lanka, and as such, the CEA is now sending out a kind reminder to all Sri Lankans to be a part of this environmental protection programme and help them ensure a healthy tomorrow for our generations to come.