At Thales DIS India Private Limited (dba "Thales"), we believe that it is our responsibility to ensure that we do business in such a manner that it enriches our environment and planet. That's why we make sure that we deliver innovative and eco-friendly products to our consumers. We are committed to product stewardship through the life cycle of our electronics, and ensure compliance with E-waste rules in India.

Quicklinks:

About E-waste

E-waste has been defined as "waste electrical and electronic equipment, whole/in part or rejects from their manufacturing and repair process, which are intended to be discarded." In other words, E-waste or Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment is the term used to describe old, end-of-life or discarded appliances using electricity. With the increase in usage and dependence on electrical and electronic gadgets such as washing machines, refrigerators, air conditioners etc. there has been increase in E-waste generation in large quantities. A UN report estimates that the world wide generation of E-waste is around 30 to 50 Million tons per annum. E-waste generally consists of those substances which are hazardous for environment and can seriously affect the health of the human beings.

Benefits of recycling of old electronic products/why recycle?

  1. Saves Natural Resources:
    There is a need to encourage recycling of all useful and valuable material from E-waste so as to conserve the ever depleting natural resources. Recycling end-of-life products is vital if we are to save resources and minimize waste.
  2. Reduces Environmental Pollution:
    Scientific disposal of E-waste reduces the environment pollution. Moreover, making products from recycled materials creates less air and water pollution than making products from virgin materials.
  3. Alternate Resource:
    With virgin resources facing rapid depletion, E-waste can be a good alternate resource since it contains many valuable and recoverable materials such as aluminum, copper, gold, silver and ferrous materials.

Negative consequences of disposal of product in an unscientific manner

  1. Health Risks:
    E-waste-connected health risks may result from direct contact with harmful materials such as lead, cadmium, chromium, brominated flame retardants or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), from inhalation of toxic fumes, as well as from accumulation of chemicals in soil, water and food.
  2. Children Are Vulnerable:
    Children require more specific protection from E-waste exposure. As they are still growing, their air, water and food intake is more as compared to adults- and with that the risk of hazardous chemical absorption. Moreover, it may cause an irreversible damage to their central nervous system, immune system, reproductive and digestive system.
  3. Environmental Degradation:
    Oil and gases which are present in E-waste such as compressor and CRT causes environmental pollution. Burning of rubber and plastic in open area causes air pollution.

Accidental breakage/damage of electronics & E-waste:

Accidental breakage and damage of electronics and E-waste can pose a threat to the environment. As long as the toxic components in electronics are enclosed within the original manufacturer's designed outer-shell of the gadget, they don't pose much of a danger as they have been engineered to contain any such effects. However, accidental breakage or damage of such electronics or E-waste can lead to toxic elements leaking and contaminating their immediate environment. Damage to the environment due to accidental breakage of E-waste is a major concern in informal E-waste disposal and recycling facilities, so consumers need to ensure that they dispose their E-waste only at authorized E-waste recycler.

Brief about E-waste (Management) rules 2016

The E-waste (Management) Rules, 2016 have been notified with primary objective to channelize the E-waste generated in the country for environmentally sound recycling which is largely controlled by the un-organized sector who are adopting crude practices that results into higher pollution and less recovery, thereby causing wastages of precious resources and damage to environment.

Guidelines for customers on the disposal of end-of-life products

The appliance's packaging material is recyclable. Your appliance also contains recyclable matter which is marked with the label. Do not mix it with the waste.

How to drop off products at our collection point?

Here are the steps you need to follow when dropping off your electronics item at our Collection Point:

  1. Pack the electronics item in light packaging, so that the device is secured inside safely.
  2. Identify the Collection Point in your state through customer care.
  3. Take the packaged product to the Collection point.
  4. At the Collection Point, you will be provided with a form. Please fill in the necessary details.
  5. Now submit the product package along with the filled up form at the Collection Point.

This way, the appliance recycling organized by Vincular Testing Labs will be done under best possible conditions, in compliance with E-waste Management and Handling Rules on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. We thank you for fulfilling your responsibility towards environment.

As part of this partnership with M/s Vincular Testing Labs India Private Limited, a registered PRO with CPCB. The company will ensure environmentally sound management of electronics that have reached their end of life phase. Vincular Testing Labs has obtained all the necessary authorizations from the appropriate governmental agencies for their processing facilities. Vincular Testing Labs ensures proper recycling and disposal of e-waste. This helps us protect the environment from any hazardous consequences, which would be otherwise caused by the inappropriate waste management of e-waste.

Do's and Don'ts for Customers

Do's:

  • Always look for information on the catalogue with your product for end-of-life equipment handling.
  • Ensure that only Authorized Recyclers repair and handle your electronic products.
  • Always call our E-waste Authorized Collection Centers/Points to dispose product that have reached end-of-life.
  • Always drop your used electronics products, batteries, or any accessories when they reach the end of their life at your nearest Authorized E-waste Collection Centers/Points.
  • Always disconnect the battery from products, and ensure any glass surface is protected against breakage.

Don'ts:

  • Do not dismantle your electronics Products on your own.
  • Do not throw electronics in bins having "Do not Dispose" sign.
  • Do not give e-waste to informal (Kabbadi) and unorganized sectors like Local Scrap Dealer/Rag Pickers.
  • Do not dispose your product in garbage bins along with municipal waste that ultimately reaches landfills.

Collection Points/Drop Points

Please download the collection and drop points PDF file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do consumers have to pay for getting their electronics recycled?

Consumers do not have to pay any fee for recycling of Thales DIS India Private Limited product/used in India.

Is there any monetary benefit/discount linked to this take-back and recycling program?

As of now there is no monetary benefit/discount linked to this program, however one can check for latest discounts/offers for exchange with Thales DIS India Private Limited. The main benefit of this program is cleaner, safer and greener environment.

Which Thales product can be recycled through this initiative?

Currently the initiative covers pick up of e-waste related to only biometric devices.

Do consumers have to pay to get their Thales product disposed?

Consumers do not have to pay for safe disposal of their appliances through Thales Authorized recyclers.

Can we dispose any old product through Thales authorized recyclers/agents?

No. You can dispose only Thales Products through our recyclers/agents.

Is it possible to dispose of the products from anywhere in India, and how much time will it take?

Yes it is possible and it will take about 5- 10 days to get the products picked by our authorized recyclers from the time of the first call made to call center.

Other queries

In case of any queries regarding the proper disposal and/or recycling of electronics, consumers can contact the helpdesk (Toll free) at:

Toll Free No: 1800-1020-527
Email: e-waste@vincular.in

Extended Producer Responsibility Plan

Thales DIS India Private Limited aim to reduce our environmental impacts and perform in a way that meets our customers' expectations. We are committed to creating the most effective recycling services for our customers, while protecting the environment and improving communities around the world. At Thales DIS India Private Limited we understand that our responsibility doesn't end at selling our products to our customers, but we continue to support products through its full life cycle, especially during end-of-life of our products. We have been safely disposing of our products that constitute electronic waste for years utilizing registered recyclers. Our products complies with RoHS requirements as prescribed in E-Waste Management Rules by Government of India. Under our Company policy as well the legislation passed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), called E-waste (Management) Rules, 2016, which came into effect on October 1st, 2016, Thales DIS India Private Limited seek shared responsibility and cooperation from customers in reducing the environmental impact of their products.

General scheme of collection

As an environmentally responsible corporate organization we hereby ensure environmentally safe and sound management of e-waste and for the same we have partnered with M/s Vincular Testing Labs India Private Limited a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) who will support us in the channelization of e-waste from end customer to the recycling/dismantling premise, establishment of collection centres and running buy-back scheme as an when required. As a support, we will ensure to mention the toll-free no. on our official website. 

Bluedart Express Limited is the e-waste managing partner of our PRO for reverse logistics facility will facilitate collection of e-waste from the collection centre/point and also support with door to door collection of e-waste in environmentally safe and sound manner.

As a part of the execution plan, any consumer who wish to handover the old product can reach out to the toll-free no. 1800 1020 527.  Our PRO shall make the necessary proceedings as per the enquiry/request received and accordingly shall update THALES DIS INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED team to carry the request forwards accordingly.

The representative will explain the customer about the further process with the support of our PRO and make them aware about the nearest collection centre available to drop the e-waste providing them information about any sort of policy e.g. exchange policy if applicable over there product. The collected e-waste will be transferred to the recycling/dismantling unit in environmentally safe and sound manner. 

 OR

The representative will explain the customer about the further process and schedule e-waste pick-up from customer doorstep providing them information about any sort of policy e.g. exchange policy applicable over there product.  The e-waste collected will be brought to the nearest collection centre/point in environmentally safe and sound manner and accordingly it will be transferred to the recycling/dismantling unit in environmentally safe and sound manner.