Govt urged to ban e-waste imports

A waste and pollution watchdog group has urged the government to ban the importation of electronic waste as the production of such waste across the world soared to 53.6 million tons in 2019 due to higher consumption rates of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), according to a newly-released United Nation’s Global E-waste Monitor 2020.

The global generation of e-waste, which is classified as hazardous waste under the Basel Convention due to the presence of brominated flame retardants, lead, mercury and other toxic substances, is projected to reach 74.7 million tons by 2030.