A big role

Few months back I had written in this column that the day might not be far
when the Government of our country will come up with strong legislations that
are aimed at curtailing e-wastage and traditional energy consumption. I still
think that day is not very far away.

Ever since the Ministry of Environment and Forests has indicated that the
e-waste laws would also involve the IT distribution channel, there has been some
opposition to it. I fully agree that no law should be made that unduly impacts
parties not involved. Also, it is a fact that the IT channel community, has a
big role in distribution of IT products, therefore they can play a big role
controlling e-waste too.

If channel partners believe that doing something about e-waste and the
impending global disasters that it will cause, is only the responsibility of
motherboard, monitor and ink manufacturers, they are sadly mistaken. The entire
home users, and the small office users, can actually be beautifully guided by
the IT channel partners from whom they buy their products, in terms of what can
be done to avoid e-waste. I would not mind a law which forces customer education
on e-waste hazards and management at the 'Point of Sale'. Let the partners force
their vendors to support it whichever way required.

As the IT market is growing, the amount of e-waste generated is also shooting
up. There have been several reports on how some of this is handled in very
poorly-managed garages and junk yards. Have the partners in Nehru Place and
Lamington Road forgotten about the Mayapuri tragedy in Delhi? Just to remind
them, that it was when scientists and professors from Delhi University did not
know how to dispose off an old gamma irradiation machine, the radio active
material of which, killed one and maimed many. What if something similar
(obviously of a far less potent) builds up and hits out in their neighborhood.

Moving from e-waste to green IT, again channels can play a role, and if not
today, then very soon we will need laws. If the vendors are really serious about
energy saving and e-waste, there should be some green solutions sales target for
each channel partner. Green solutions ensure maximum energy efficiency and
minimal environmental impact. This can be worked out for large installations,
where millions of rupees and thousands of megawatts of energy can be saved. And
more importantly, this will lead to a significant reduction in the speed at
which the earth's atmosphere is warming up. Two years back there was so much of
hullabaloo about Green-today everybody seems to have forgotten about it. I would
not mind a government law that encourages it, or if required, forces it.

I think this is the time to join hands with the Government, the vendors, as
well as users to work out ways and means to manage it. I would be very happy if
the partners can work out some guidelines and plans that eliminate e-waste,
before they oppose the Government's proposed law. Channel associations must take
this up actively, for instance, ask vendors for products that reduce energy
consumption, and encourage customers to deploy green solutions. And they must
ask for government incentives for these initiatives. Channels can and must
contribute in making mother earth a better place to live in.

Ibrahim ahmad

ibrahima@cybermedia.co.in