The Centre is in the midst of readying the new e-waste rules, making it mandatory for electronic appliance makers to collect, recycle and dispose the waste generated by them.

As per draft notification of the rules proposed to be called the E-waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2010, the manufacturers have also been asked to ensure that their appliances have identification code for tracking them in the e-waste management system, official sources said.

According to the new rules, citizens will have to dispose of electronic appliances at designated centres instead of dumping it in a municipal bin.

E-waste is currently defined under Hazardous Management Rules, which were applicable more to industry than to households.

As per rules, bulk consumers of electrical gadgets will not be able to escape their responsibilities as they will have to file annual returns in Form 3 to the concerned State Pollution Control Board, sources in the ministry said.