Electronic waste increases

Priyanka Kurugala

There is a high demand for electronic items in the country. The generation of waste from electronic goods has increased notably during the last few years, said Natural Resources and Environment Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka.

Due to lower purchasing power of the majority of consumers in Sri Lanka, importation of used items from developed countries has drastically increased, he said.

He made these observation at a function held at the Central Environment Authority, Battaramulla recently to present awards to institutions that have disposed waste without polluting the environment.

Ten organizations in the private and public sector were awarded tokens of appreciation. Life span of used electronic items are relatively low and has a very high chance of becoming obsolete fast.

Electronic waste has become a common problem leading to an adverse impact on environment and human health.

This is due to toxicity and carcinogenicity of substances in electronic waste, he noted.

The minister said all electronic equipment contain substances that are harmful if the devices are not disposed off and can have a devastating impact if released into the environment.

The Central Environment Authority has played the main role for the protection of the environment.

They had decided to award a token of appreciation to government and private sector organizations for protecting the environment, the Minister said.

The program to control hospital waste was completed last year. In 2010, the Central Environment Authority will control the electronic waste of the country, he said.

CEA Chairman Wimaladharma Abeywickrama said it had been possible to export 700 tons of electronic waste for recycling and this process will continue.