Sustainable Development and the Challenge of E-Waste in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Sustainable Development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. However, loosely discarded, surplus, obsolete, broken, electrical and electronic equipment which are called ewaste have become a huge challenge in achieving sustainable development in the modern world endangering public health and the environment, due the release of harmful and toxic substances contained therein. This research addresses the problem whether the legal system of Sri Lanka has adequately responded to the challenge of e-waste management in order to uphold the concept of sustainable development in the country. Data collection was done through literature survey and interviews with government authorities, company officials and experts on the subject. For comparative purposes, legal developments in India were taken into account. It was found out that Sri Lanka has taken efforts to address the issue through introduction of regulations on disposal of hazardous waste, in keeping with the obligations under the Basel convention. National policy on e-waste management is still at the draft stage and the legal framework needs much improvement in comparison to the developments that have taken place in other jurisdictions. Introduction of regulations that specifically deals with the issues pertaining to e-waste with provisions on responsibilities of various stakeholders such as producers, dealers, collection centers, recyclers and consumers, introducing the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility making the manufacturers liable for safe disposal of electronic goods, promoting the import of electronic equipments with less hazardous materials, streamlining e-waste recycling and collection system through legal means, enhancing public awareness on e-waste management and promoting research and development activities are the major recommendations to be made to meet the challenge e-waste management in upholding the concept of sustainable development in Sri Lanka.