What was the idea behind HCL eSafe?
We have unified our various environment protection initiatives under the HCL
eSafe program, and it is under this program that we have launched a new range of
HCL eSafe desktop PCs that are compliant with RoHS (Restriction of hazardous
substances) directive and are environment friendly. This means that personal
computers complying with RoHS standards contain negligible or zero quantities of
hazardous materials like lead, cadmium, and mercury, and are, therefore, cleaner
and easily recyclable. Earlier this year, we had introduced Indias first
range of RoHS-compliant notebooks.
How grave is the threat of e-waste in India?
The issue of e-waste management is assuming mammoth dimension today, even
though, as compared to other developed countries, the threat from e-waste is not
that grave in India since our law prohibits the import of hazardous substances.
However, we cannot be complacent with it as there is a potential threat for
tomorrow. Recycling e-waste is an industry in itself, and, as of now, there are
two government-approved companies, which are engaged in the recycling of
e-waste. Our eSafe initiative, which includes RoHS compliant desktop PCs, offers
the consumers the facility to dispose off these products in an
environment-friendly way, which is a good early step.
What can India Inc do to create awareness on e-waste?
There is willingness on the part of industry to promote recycling of e-waste
and also create awareness about the same. What we can do is to mark all products
with special logo, indicating that these products are not to be disposed off in
waste; educate the masses on the importance of disposing it off properly.
Is the launch of these RoHS-compliant desktop PCs a result of
the recent initiatives of Greenpeace?
Greenpeace is a world renowned NGO that is doing exemplary work to create
awareness about the grave threat due to e-waste. However, launching a range of
RoHS-compliant desktop PCs is not something that can be done overnight, and it
took us a year and half to launch this new range of PCs. Moreover, all our
vendors need to be RoHS-compliant, and we are trying to build awareness on this
front. There is no legislation on RoHS in India, and whatever has been done by
HCL, is purely on voluntary basis.
Stuti Das
stutid@cybermedia.co.in