siliconindia | | APRIL 202419GROWING DEMAND FOR CONSUMER ELECTRONICS & BATTERIES: NAVIGATING THROUGH BATTERY WASTE CHALLENGEHaving completed his Post Graduate Diploma in Management from Symbiosis Institute of Management & HRD, Anirban is a seasoned business professional with over 27 years of experience across diverse industry functions. Prior to joining Eveready in 2022, he has had successful stints with companies such as Godrej Consumer Products, Godrej Natures Basket, The Hershey Company, Reliance Communications, and Electrolux.Anirban BanerjeeSenior VP & SBU Head - Batteries & FlashlightsEveready Industries IndiaThe evolving needs & preferences of today's consumers and their growing inclination towards a convenient & hassle-free lifestyle are propelling the consumption of consumer electronics in India. Nowadays, they are rapidly adopting the latest electronic gadgets such as smart TVs, gaming consoles, speakers for entertainment, remote control systems for convenience, children's toys for leisure, and products like flashlights or digital clocks for their daily needs, which is driving demand for electronic products in the market. According to a recent report, technical consumer goods which include electronic products and gadgets have registered an impressive eight percent growth in the first half of this year as compared to the same period in the preceding year, and the demand is set to grow in the coming period, which is really promising.While the growing demand and adoption of consumer electronics is crucial for economic resilience, it also places the manufacturing industry at a crossroads where it has to gear-up to address the environmental challenges it faces today. Climate change, depleting finite resources and alarming rise in pollution levels make it the need of hour to align efforts to ensure sustainable development. Speaking of electronic goods, most of these gadgets run on batteries, and as a result of their growing consumption, a large number of used batteries are being discarded as waste. This necessitates efforts to combat the growing concerns around battery waste for environmental protection.Notably, battery waste is composed of hazardous elements such as lithium, lead, arsenic and many others. The unsafe disposal of these elements can have a detrimental impact on the environment. Also in India, a large number of battery waste is handled by the informal sector which lacks organized, efficient and certified recyclers. Due to irresponsible handling & disposal, inefficient waste management, and non-compliance to regulations & guidelines, untreated battery waste ends-up in landfills and seriously damages the soil, air and water quality, thus causing serious health hazards to living beings as well.Managing Battery Waste: A Collective ResponsibilityAddressing the challenge of growing battery waste is a collective responsibility and demands participation CXOInSIGHTS
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