Greenpeace raps Govt over e-waste issue

NEW DELHI: Greenpeace today blocked the entrance of Udyog Bhavan in protest against illegal e-waste imports.

Greenpeace activists confronted the union Commerce Ministry with evidence of the ongoing illegal import of electronic wastes into the country, in the name of reuse and charity.

"The ministry of Commerce cannot turn a blind eye to this crime, which poses a threat to India's environment and its people. What is needed is an immediate and complete ban on the import of second-hand used computers and electronics," said Ramapati Kumar, Greenpeace Toxics Campaigner.

Greenpeace said it has evidence that large amounts of e-waste from developed countries like US, the European Union and Japan are entering India for recycling and disposal.

According to import records procured by Greenpeace the total amount of e-waste imported through Chennai port between January and June 2007 were approximately 628 tones.

"This is just the tip of iceberg, with thousands of tones entering from other ports such as Mumbai, Kochi and Kolkata, destined for the informal recycling system. It is ridiculous for any one to suggest that India needs to import cables, RAM cards or printed circuit boards for reuse, this clearly shows that the real intention is recycling or disposal!" said Kumar.

The Delhi police held five Greenpeace activists.