The state pollution control board plans to build five waste recycling mega hubs. Focused on plastic, e-waste, and non-biodegradable medical waste such as single-use PPE kits, gloves, and masks. These hubs will be able to recycle all types of plastic, e-waste, and single-use medical waste using current scientific procedures with the least amount of environmental effect possible.
According to authorities with the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB). These hubs are going to be there in at least five locations around the state. “The mega hubs would each contain over 50 facilities to recycle medical plastic using diverse advanced ways,” UPPCB chief environment officer RK Singh said. Private partners will run these facilities, with the government providing the fundamental infrastructure, resulting in a public-private partnership (PPP) work paradigm.”
Development of mega recycling hubs for plastic, medical, e-waste in Uttar Pradesh
The proposal was based on recommendations from environmental experts and researchers, who informed the board of the increase in single-use medical plastic and e-waste during the Covid-19 period.
“In our landfills, electronic waste accounts for 40% of the lead and 70% of the heavy metals. Groundwater contamination, air pollution, and soil pollution are all caused by these pollutants, according to Shalini Sharma, CEO of Sanshodhan, an E-Waste Exchange initiative. The true issue, according to Sharma, is how e-waste is not getting in the recycling process correctly.
Nearly 95% of electronic waste recycling is in hands of the informal sector. Posing a risk to both the recycler and the environment. The state government has the authority to formalize this industry by providing the necessary training and infrastructure.
Given that Uttar Pradesh is one of the country’s main manufacturers of e-waste, the situation is getting worst.
Furthermore, the UPPCB estimates that in the previous two years, 40K tonnes of biomedical waste was created across the state. Disposable PPE kits, masks, testing swabs, pipettes, and other items utilized in the care of Covid-19 patients accounted for about a third of the total.
The exact site of these centers has yet to be determined. But top board officials believe Moradabad, Ghaziabad, Aligarh, Kanpur, and Prayagraj are among the most likely candidates. “In the state, Moradabad and Ghaziabad are already big e-waste recycling centers. “They handle about a third of all e-waste generated in the state,” a senior board member claimed.
Officials from the UPPCB are also reaching out to experts. In the recycling industry for advice on how to build these mega centers. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is also enlisting the help of research institutes.