E-waste management: The call for a better tomorrow

Definition of e-waste :

Electronic waste (‘e-waste’) are the electronic equipments / products that connects
with power plug, batteries which have become obsolete due to: Advancement in
technology ,Changes in fashion,Style and status,Nearing the end of their useful life.

Classification of e-waste :

E-waste encompasses ever growing range of 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.

Indian Scenario :

There is an estimate that the total obsolete computers originating from government
offices, business houses, industries and household is of the order of 2 million nos.
Manufactures and assemblers in a single calendar year, estimated to produce around
1200 tons of electronic scrap. It should be noted that obsolence rate of personal
computers (PC) is one in every two years. The consumers finds it convenient to buy a
new computer rather than upgrade the old one due to the changing configuration,
technology and the attractive offers of the manufacturers. Due to the lack of
governmental legislations on e-waste, standards for disposal, proper mechanism for
handling these toxic hi-tech products, mostly end up in landfills or partly recycled in a
unhygienic conditions and partly thrown into waste streams. Computer waste is
generated from the individual households; the government, public and private sectors;
computer retailers; manufacturers; foreign embassies; secondary markets of old PCs.
Of these, the biggest source of PC scrap are foreign countries that export huge
computer waste in the form of reusable components.

Electronic waste or e-waste is one of the rapidly growing environmental problems of

the world. In India, the electronic waste management assumes greater significance not
only due to the generation of our own waste but also dumping ofe-waste particularly
computer waste from the developed countries.

With extensively using computers and electronic equipments and people dumping old
electronic goods for new ones, the amount ofE-Waste generated has been steadily
increasing. At present Bangalore alone generates about 8000 tonnes of computer waste
annually and in the absence of proper disposal, they find their way to scrap dealers.
E-Parisaraa, an eco-friendly recycling unit on the outskirts of Bangalore which is
located in Dobaspet industrial area, about 45 Km north of Bangalore, makes full use
ofE-Waste. The plant which is India’s first scientific e-waste recycling unit will reduce
pollution, landfill waste and recover valuable metals, plastics & glass from waste in an
eco-friendly manner. E-Parisaraa has developed a circuit to extend the life of tube
lights. The circuit helps to extend the life of fluorescent tubes by more than 2000
hours. If the circuits are used, tube lights can work on lower voltages. The initiative is
to aim at reducing the accumulation of used and discarded electronic and electrical
equipments.

India as a developing country needs simpler, low cost technology keeping in view of
maximum resource recovery in an environmental friendly methodologies. E-Parisaraa,
deals with practical aspect ofe-waste processing as mentioned below by hand.
Phosphor affects the display resolution and luminance of the images that is seen in the
monitor.

E-Parisaraa’s Director Mr. P. Parthasarathy, an IIT Madras graduate, and a former

consultant for a similar e-waste recycling unit in Singapore, has developed an eco-
friendly methodology for reusing, recycling and recovery of metals, glass & plastics
with non-incineration methods . The hazardous materials are segregated separately and
send for secure land fill for ex.: phosphor coating, LED’s, mercury etc.

We have the technology to recycle most of the e-waste and only less than one per cent
of this will be regarded as waste, which can go into secure landfill planned in the
vicinity by the HAWA project.

Importance of Environment Management System (EMS)

An Environment Management System (EMS) is a tool for managing the impacts of an organization's activities
on the environment. It provides a structured approach to planning and implementing environment protection
measures.

HCL has a well defined environment management policy that we proudly refer to as HCL ecoSafe. HCL is the
first company in the country to be ISO14001 compliant. International Standard Organization has laid
down certain compliance guidelines before a manufacturer qualifies as ISO14001.

International Environmental Standards - ISO 14001

ISO 14001 is a collection of voluntary standards that assists organizations to achieve environmental gains
through the implementation of effective environmental management. The standards provide both a model for
streamlining environmental management, and guidelines to ensure environmental issues are considered in an
effective manner to safeguard the interests of all stakeholders involved namely the manufactures, the
consumers and recyclers.
HCL’s E-Waste Policy
HCL Electronic Waste Policy on WEEE
management to encourage separate
collection and recycling of end-of-life
products that are other wise land
disposed.
HCL’s initiative on energy
conservation initiative.
Conservation of Natural
Resources.
HCL's Policy on RoHS
Suppliers level agreement on
EMS.
1. HCL today has a comprehensive policy on Implemented
WEEE management.
2. HCL extends its recycling facility to all its
customers regardless of the fact, when and
where they purchased the product.
3. we are in the process to educate our customers
to promote separate collection and recycling of
all WEEE.
1. All HCL products have Green PC features and Implemented
ACPI mode for power saving.
2. E-mail facility and Intranet facility for e-
documents.
3. In our manufacturing facilities to conserve
energy consumption, we use natural light
during daytime.
4. Installation of different capacities DG sets that
consume optimum amount of diesel as per
required load.
5. Employee awareness is achieved by educating
them on energy saving practices like switching
OFF computer systems, monitors etc when not
in use. Usage of stationery and paper to the
minimum. Employees are encouraged to reuse
paper. In Progress
6. Operational Control Procedures are
implemented in all manufacturing facilities for a
good working environment for employees.
Special care is taken in prevention of noise
pollution, building on good safety standards for
safe working of employees.
7. Quantification of carbon footprint in order to
bring transparency in our Energy Conservation
initiatives and action plan to reduce the same.
1. HCL practices stringent measures to Implemented
recycle/reuse packaging material. Reusable
packaging material received at the plant from
suppliers is sent to the regional TRC (Test and
Repair Center) to reuse in packaging material.
2. Big area for green belt and landscaping to
generate dust free and cool microclimate.
3. Protection of the Ozone layer layer - HCL in
its manufacturing facilities uses electronic
durables that are CFC free.
1. HCL has undertaken a proactive stand without Implemented
the availability of legislative mandates to
eliminate /severely curtail the use of hazardous
substances in all its manufactured products.
2. With effect 01 Jan 2008 all Desktops, Laptops,
Workstations and Servers are ROHS compliant.
3. While HCL has assured that all its prdoucts are
RoHS compliant there are few end of
generation assemblies and certain low volume
accessories that are not RoHS compliant.
4. These assemblies will be phased out in due
cousre of time with up-gradation in product
design with new versions/models.
1. For the compliance of environment issues, the Implemented
suppliers are registered based on their
proactive approach on EMS, promoting plans to
reduce the impacts on environment due to their
activities/material/ services.
2. Supplier qualification is checked by the SRF
(Supplier Registration Form) and verified in the
SEF (Supplier Evaluation Form).
Following are the current plans undertaken taken under EMS:

• Phasing out of PVC and BFR components from product manufacturing, target date 2009 and 2010
respectively.
• No usage of polythene less than 20 microns.
• Safe usage and disposal of Asbestos cement sheet.
• Reducing consumption of stationary.
• Effectively reusing packing material.
• Monitoring international trends and working towards elimination of other substances of concern
worldwide

How electronic waste damages the
environment?
The electronic equipment that is disposed as municipal waste 
enters the food chain through ground water thereby damaging 
the food chain matrix. There are several toxic chemicals that go in 
manufacturing of electronic products, these chemicals may 
cause sever damage to your health once present in the food 
chain.

“Green Warriors”
Join the drive to save the environment, join us to make this world a better place, join the 
HCL recognizes the importance of products that are energy efficient and help customers 
cut costs of ownership and attain broader goals of protecting the environment. All our 
products have been incorporated with Green PC features and ACPI mode for power 
saving. Apart from this all HCL products are 'Energy star' compliant that makes products 
conserve and optimize use of energy.

HCL working for the environment:
E­Waste recycling:

HCL provides to all its customers the facility to give back HCL manufactured products at 
their end of life so that these can be recycled/disposed in an environment friendly 
manner.
• HCL extends the recycling facility to its users regardless of the fact, when and 
where they purchased product. 
• HCL assures to all its customers that the entire process of recycling/disposal 
of WEEE will be carried out by authorized recycling agency.

How can you help us join the drive for a clean and safe 
environment? 
• Don't dispose of your electronic products in the municipal 
waste. These products may have hazardous chemicals that 
severely damage the environment. To know how to safely dispose 
your e­waste, contact your vendor for recycle/ process.
• HCL seeks the support of all its customers to help promote 
recovery and recycling of WEEE. 

For more information about  a safe tomorrow
How much energy can be saved by you if you use an energy 
efficient product?
Energy conservation is very important to us today and every step taken by you in this 
direction may help the nation conserve energy and natural resources that are so 
valuable to us. Today there are energy efficient products available in the market that 
consumes half the amount of energy as consumed by a normal non­energy efficient 
product.

How a tree planted by you can help the environment?
Today with rapid industrialization and population growth the green cover that is vital 
for our existence is decreasing steadily. In India only 19.52% forest cover is left of the 
total geographic area and this figure with time is decreasing at an alarming rate. 

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HCL ecoSafe Policy is our initiative that encapsulates knowledge, awareness and 
developments on all environmental issues faced by today's world. The policy also 
elaborates in detail on HCL's stance on environment management processes 
undertaken by us, assuring our commitment in delivering quality products, solutions 
and services.
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Page 4
HCL's energy conservation initiatives.
HCL recognizes the importance of products that are energy efficient and help customers 
cut costs of ownership and attain broader goals of protecting the environment. All our 
products have been incorporated with Green PC features and ACPI mode for power 
saving. Apart from this all HCL products are 'Energy star' compliant that makes products 
conserve and optimize use of energy.

HCL working for the environment:
E­Waste recycling:

HCL provides to all its customers the facility to give back HCL manufactured products at 
their end of life so that these can be recycled/disposed in an environment friendly 
manner.
• HCL extends the recycling facility to its users regardless of the fact, when and 
where they purchased product. 
• HCL assures to all its customers that the entire process of recycling/disposal 
of WEEE will be carried out by authorized recycling agency.

How can you help us join the drive for a clean and safe 
environment? 
• Don't dispose of your electronic products in the municipal 
waste. These products may have hazardous chemicals that 
severely damage the environment. To know how to safely dispose 
your e­waste, contact your vendor for recycle/ process.
• HCL seeks the support of all its customers to help promote 
recovery and recycling of WEEE. 
For more information about HCL ecoSafe, please logon to : 
www.hclinfosystems.in/hclecoSafe.html

HCL Infosystems Ltd.
E­ 4, 5, 6, Sector­11, Noida­ 201301.
www.hclinfosystems.in

Join us in making a safe tomorrow