With the urgent need to responsibly dispose of electronic waste (e-waste) in Mumbai, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is planning to revive its three-year old e-waste disposal facility project. With electronic devices quickly becoming obsolete with rapid technological advancements, about four hectares of land have already been identified in Bhiwandi, Thane.

MMRDA is working with bodies such as the Manufacturers Association for Information Technology to evolve a new model for setting up such facilities. While the actual investment from MMRDA may not be huge, it will act as a facilitator for private companies to set up the site and create awareness about the hazards of toxic e-waste. It is estimated that the metropolitan region produces about 2 lakh tonnes of waste per year. However, only 20 per cent of e-waste gets recycled in an environmentally sound manner; the rest is recycled by scrap dealers.