Inventorisation of electronic waste – With special reference to Coimbatore

The global market for electrical and electronic equipment continues to expand, while the lifespan of many products becomes shorter. consequently, the waste stream of obsolete electrical and electronic products, commonly called “e-waste”, is also vast and growing, with estimates of 20–50 million tonnes per year being generated worldwide. Many of the products contain numerous hazardous chemicals and materials, and therefore the recycling and disposal of e-waste poses a threat to the environment and to human health. The study was conducted in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, 40 electronic shops were randomly selected to examine the Inventorisation of electronic waste and willingness to pay to reduce the problem of electronic waste. The study found that Recycling as the effective method to combat the problem of e-waste was suggested by the respondents. The respondents felt that recycling will reduce the harmful effect of e-waste and recycling unit will provide lot of employment opportunities and on an average the respondents were willing to pay Rs 244 per month towards the management of e-waste in their respective shops. Finally the study suggested that since there is willingness among public to pay from proper management of ewaste, Government can take efforts to initiative to generate funds from the public to handle the problem of e-waste management.