Sri Lanka is set to implement electronic waste collection and disposal programme in a streamlined manner, official sources said.
According to UNDP Sri Lanka produces around 70 to 75 metric tonnes of e waste annually.
These include Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT), mobile phones, CFL bulbs, batteries, computers and computer accessories.
All these equipments contain alarming levels of toxic compounds and heavy metal such as cadmium, arsenic, mercury and lead.
Since most of the e waste is disposed without any proper safety precautions the toxic chemicals from these waste is directly released in to the environment polluting Soil, Water and Air.
Once these toxic substances enter our body through food and water, they can cause numerous long term health impacts such as damaging the nerves system, kidney and vision etc.
A decision has been taken to collect all Electronic waste (E-waste) in the country through post offices, the Central Environmental Authority said.
“The collection of e-waste will be carried out by postmen,” S. Samarasinghe, the Chairman at the Central Environmental Authority said .
According to Samarasinghe, E-waste or Electronic waste is the emerging form of waste and Sri Lanka is yet to introduce a proper mechanism for the disposal of e-waste.
E-waste includes mobile phones, televisions, radios, and other kitchen electrical appliances, among others.
CEA Chairman said that due to the lack of a proper disposal mechanism, such waste is either collected at households or disposed to the environment.
“Therefore, in line with the World Post Day, which falls on the 10th of October, the Post-Master General and close to 7000 postal employees have prepared a program to collect e-waste once a week,” CEA Chairman – S. Samarasinghe disclosed.
The collected e-waste will be sent to foreign countries and recycled, according to CEA Chairman.
(LIN)