Dumping of e-waste, comprising electronic items like television sets, mobile phones and computers is illegal from today. It is also illegal to sell e-waste to local scrap dealers. Under the Electronic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2011, notified a year ago has come into effect from today, such waste must be routed to one of 73 authorised recyclers in India. As per the law, non-compliance can entail imprisonment or a fine. As of now, these penalties are only for manufactures and bulk consumers.

Our correspondent reports that e-waste now has to be disposed off directly to authorised collection centres or directly to any authorised recycler or the manufacturer. India's e-waste has hit an all-time high estimated at around eight lakh metric tonnes in 2012.