HYDERABAD, INDIA: Despite commonplace hoardings that urge everyone to keep Hyderabad clean, this city lacks a proper e-waste management system.

According to the initial findings of an eWaste Guide survey, Andhra Pradesh ranks second only to Maharashtra in the annual generation of e-waste, hazardous to human health and the environment.

Interestingly, the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) is aware of the concerns e-waste raises. But, the south Indian state is blaming the central government for not formulating laws regarding e-waste disposal and management.

"The central government has no clear definition on what constitutes e-waste whether it is just electrical or electronic or both. In such a situation we are merely working with private partners to do our best," said Rajendra Reddy, senior environment scientist with the APPCB.

The board has given its approval to two companies G J Multiclave and Ramky Enviro Engineers, two waste management companies, to collect e-waste in the city.

e-waste to Bangalore

Multiclave has collected nearly 22 million tons of waste, which is send to Bangalore for recycling.

"There is no accurate information on the e-waste generated in the city, but our working estimates put it anywhere between 3000 to 4000 tones per year," said S John Robert, general manager, G L Multiclave.

An earlier report had said the city daily generates 6000 kilograms of e-waste.

Multiclave is planning to establish a factory to handle e-waste in Hyderabad after which the process will be carried on locally.

Ramky is also coming up with an e-Waste Management Facility at Hyderabad in a joint venture with Cimelia Resource Recovery, Singapore. The planned facility will completely recycle e-waste with zero landfill.

There has been international pressure by organizations such as Greenpeace on electronic equipment manufacturers to be proactive in e-waste management.

HCL computer has even topped the chart followed by Wipro and Zenith by the world body as major Indian companies working towards policies and practice on eliminating harmful chemicals and taking responsibility for their products once they are discarded by consumers.

But the software community, which has large usage of electronic items is seems to be under a lull. But things are looking up, Nasscom has 'Adoption of Green IT' as one of its agendas this year.

Nasscom's Hyderabad Chapter also plans to have activities in the IT industry that will encourage environmental responsibility aided by the search for greater productivity and competitiveness, reducing waste and increasing efficiency.