The IT industry is no more a non-polluting industry in Kerala. Thanks to the piling up of used computers, peripherals and mobile phones and the lack of any scientific e-waste management facility.

The E-waste (management and handling) Rules that hold the manufacturers and dealers responsible for collection of e-waste will come into effect in May. But, so far, there are no indications of enforcing the rules effectively in the state.

“We need to draft the guidelines for implementing the E-waste (management and handling) Rules,” said Kerala state pollution control board chairman K.Sajeevan.

Once the rules are enforced, the manufacturers and distributors of the e-gadgets will be responsible for collecting the e-wastes.

Sources estimate that not less than one lakh ton e-waste is being generated in the state annually, a majority of which are being disposed of unscientifically within the state.

Studies say unscientific disposal of e-wastes even leads to cancer. At present, there are only 16 e-waste plants in the country, none of them in Kerala.

All Kerala IT Dealers Association had repeatedly urged the government to find a solution to e-waste. “We hope the government will give prominence to the matter at least in the coming budget," said the association's spokesman, John G. Kottara.