Electronic waste (E-waste) means waste electrical and electronic equipment, whole or in part or rejects from their manufacturing and repair process, which are intended to be discarded. It can become hazardous waste when discarded for disposal. The toxic constituents in e waste are heavy metals, rare earth metals and other constituents. Pollution problems, health & environmental hazards are caused due to improper management of e waste. The Ministry of Environment & Forests in its recent report has mentioned that quantity of e waste in India will increase to about 8, 00,000 MT by the year 2012. The e waste regulation under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 will become effective from May, 2012.

in the year 2001-02, the issue of e waste was first recognized in CPCB and Dr. Boralkar given responsibility to undertake a rapid survey for assessment of the problem of e waste around Delhi and environmental issues of concern. This was the first attempt of its kind which included evolving methodology of assessment, quantification of e waste generation, tracking of waste movement, environmental pollution problems, etc. This work was supported by German and Swiss technical collaboration and conducted by M/s IRG Systems under the supervision and coaching of Dr. Boralkar.

In the year 2003-04, Dr. Boralkar, immediately after being appointed as Member Secretary of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), initiated e waste management activities in the Board. MPCB was the first State Board to initiate such project where Assessment of Electronic Waste in Mumbai-Pune Area was taken up. The study included existing collection and recycling system; pollution problems and risks associated, quantification of e waste; evaluation of capabilities of stake holders and infrastructure for recycling and disposal, analysis of environmental and social sustainability of present system, development of PPP proposal for e waste management and determination of e-trade economics. Study was funded by MPCB with partial financial assistance from UNEP. Report of the study published in March, 2007 is available at MPCB website http://mpcb.gov.in/images/pdf/ewastereport1.pdf

Dr. Boralkar had been Chairman of Expert Group on E-Waste Management at MPCB and Member of National Committee on Electronic Waste Management at Central Pollution Control Board. (2005-2007).Dr. Boralkar also visited Switzerland and Germany for study of e waste management and made technical presentations in national and international conferences. A Plaque of “Thank You” was presented to Dr. Boralkar by CMAI & TEMA at National Conference on E Waste Management: Indo German Swiss E Waste Initiative’s Achievements & Way Forward,organized by EMPA (Switzerland), GTZ (Germany) and Ministry of Environment & Forests andheld at New Delhi on 10.12.2008.