India's Big Push to Boost Formal Sector E-Waste Recycling

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The drastic jump in consumer spending triggered by stable economic growth coupled with higher rate of obsolescence has resulted in tremendous increase in demand for electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) in India during recent years. Consequently, the country has become one of the highest generators of electronic waste. The sector presents various challenges as much of the e-waste stream is still handled by the unorganized sector. The informal handling of e-waste poses countless health hazards, which needs to be addressed urgently.

As per survey conducted by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM) of India in tie up with KPMG, the country accounted for nearly 12% of the global e-waste production in 2016. India emerged as the world’s fifth largest producer of electronic waste. Alarmingly, the country currently recycles only less than 2% of its e-waste. The study points to the importance of stepping up e-waste recycling alongside techniques that could result in lesser generation of e-waste.

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Ignorance about e-waste leads to storage of old electronics. The ambiguity about proper management of e-waste results in nearly three-fourths of the discarded electronic waste stored by consumers. Moreover, much of the e-waste is sold to scrap dealers who in turn sell it to informal recyclers, who normally employ primitive methods to recycle them. This causes huge damage to environment and poses health risks on account of release of toxic substances such as cadmium, lead, mercury etc.

In March 2018, the country had amended the E-Waste Management Rules, 2016, in a bid to implement environmentally sound e-waste management in the country. The amendments aim to formalize the country’s e-waste recycling sector.