Sri Lanka generates around 25,000 metric tons of e-waste per year of which 5,000 to 8,000 metric tons are exported to other countries for recycling, as recycling facilities is not available in Sri Lanka, said Assistant Director of Environment Pollition Control and Chemical Management Division of the Environment Ministry Sujeewa Fernando.
She made these revelations in a communique to mark International E Waste Day which falls today (14).
Fernando said the amount of electronic and electrical waste collected between 2010 and 2016 exceeded 92,000 metric tons.
“It is estimated that by the year 2030, the current generation of around 25,000 metric tons will grow by 10,000 metric tons per annum, and by 2030 the annul electrical and electronic waste generation will be around 43,000 metric tons.
About 50% of the total electronic waste generation is from refrigerators, air conditioners and photocopiers,” Fernando said.
She added that the private sector is establising a facility, where e-waste recycling will be carried out in Sri Lanka in future. “At present, there are 14 organizations registered under the Central Environmental Authority, who collect e-waste island wide and export to other countries for recycling,” she said.
In addition, the Central Environmental Authority organises e waste drop off events, to collect e-waste and declare e- waste collection weeks to collect e-waste.
In addition action has been taken to ban importation of used/discarded electronic equipment, in order to minimize generation of electronic waste within the country.
E-waste consists of precious metals like gold, silver, platinum and toxic metals like arsenic, mercury, cadmium and lead.
Therefore e waste should not be burnt or buried. Burning causes air pollution due to emission of toxic gases and burying can contaminate the ground water sources and the soil. Ewaste should be recycled to recover metals and other possible components and dispose the rest safely as hazardous waste.
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