| | SEPTEMBER 20168Consultants ReviewWhere Do Gadgets Go to Sleep?By Radhika Kalia, Associate Director-Corporate Affairs & CSR, Panasonic IndiaHeadquartered in Japan, Panasonic is engaged in consumer electronics business. With over 20+ years of progressive professional experience, Radhika brings in expertise across from Strategic Business Planning, Corporate Affairs, Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility, Country/ Government Relations, Crisis Communications, etc.alk around any city and the degree of proliferation of gadgets (here, mobile phones) can neatly summarized with a conversation that all of us can relate to. It would start something like, "Thinking about buying a new cell phone""Why? You got this one just six months ago""There's a new upgrade which my phone can't tap into so I want to get my hands on it"The above conversation is an insight into the minds of the consumer and what triggers their buying habit and it is not just restricted to mobile phones, even if the latter's trend conscious consumer go through more cycles than with other gadgets. The reasons could vary from an upgrade, it could be a new feature, or even how something looks, but little thought is given once a fickle consumer's mind is `made up'; thinking about what happens to the device isn't even close to qualifying as an afterthought. In fact, chances are that you would have already thought of the next gadget you will `add to cart' the moment you read this headline. But we need to conscientiously think about it. Thanks to our increasing reliance on technology, the past couple of years have seen a significant increase in the amount of e-waste. So, what is e-waste? Simply defined, it is the digital, electrical and electronic equipment that is no longer in use, as in electronic waste. Technically, it is addressed as WEEE ­ Waste from Electric and Electronic Equipment. The global e-waste count has increased at an alarming rate over the past 10 years; it is one of the wastes, which continues to pile up and is showing no signs of slowing down. In 2011, the global e-waste count was 41.5 million tons and looks all set to go past the 93 million ton mark by the end of 2016.While we continue to voraciously consume gadgets at a gluttonous rate, e-waste has gradually turned into one of the biggest challenges for experts onwaste management. Even here in India, officials are fretting about the relentless accumulation of e-waste. Recent statistics showed that 10 Indian states contribute more than 70% of the total e-waste generated. Urban India is generating nearly 1500 metric kilo tonnes of e-waste every year. This has put India fifth on an infamous list of e-waste producing countries. India's e-waste is growing at a rate of 30 percent annually and is IN MY OPINIONW
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