India’s e-waste volumes soared by 151.03% in six years , prompting urgent regulatory and systemic reforms.

Status of E-Waste Generation

• India has emerged as the world’s third-largest generator of e-waste after China and the USA.
• Rapid Growth: India witnessed a surge in e-waste from 7,08,445 metric tonnes in 2017–18 to 17,78,400 metric tonnes in 2023–24, with an annual increment of 1,69,283 metric tonnes.
• Biggest Contributors in India: Urban areas and bulk consumers such as schools and government offices significantly contribute to the rising volume, as mandated in the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022.
• COVID-19’s Role: The sharpest spike occurred between 2019–20 and 2020–21, driven by increased electronic consumption for remote work and education during the pandemic.
• Global Burden: E- Waste accounts for 70% of toxic waste generated, despite only accounting for around 2% of the total trash humans generate.
  • In 2022, the world generated 62 million tonnes of e-waste; only 22.3% was formally recycled.

About E-Waste and Its Impact

• E-waste includes discarded electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) like mobile phones, laptops, refrigerators, and medical devices.
• It contains valuable metals  such as Gold, silver , and toxic substances such as plastic, heavy metal, etc.

Impact of Improper Disposal

• Environmental: Informal recycling methods release up to 1,000 toxic chemicals into the environment, including lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and persistent organic pollutants.
• Health Hazards: Exposure to these substances can cause severe health issues, particularly among children and pregnant women. 
  • As per ILO,Informal e-waste recycling is classified among the worst forms of child labour.
  • E-waste Health Risks include:
    • Neurodevelopmental disorders
    • Respiratory problems and asthma
    • Stillbirths and premature births
• Economic Loss: Mismanagement of e-Waste leads to heavy Socio-economic burden in  India.
  • $10 billion/year in environmental damage (polluted air, water, soil)
  • $20 billion/year in social loss from health impacts.
  • ₹80,000 crore/year in lost critical metal value due to crude extraction
  • $20 billion/year in tax loss due to unregistered, cash-based operations

Methods to Process E-Waste

E-Waste Management Rules in India

• E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022: Came into effect on April 1, 2023, replacing the 2016 Rules.
• Key provisions include:
  • Registration of recyclers, refurbishers, and producers
  • Mandatory procurement of EPR certificates at a fixed floor price.
  • Clear annual recycling targets for producers
• Coverage : It covers 106 categories of electronic and electrical equipment (EEE). Data for the full list started from FY 2023–24; earlier estimates (2019–2023) included only 21 items.

• Bulk Consumer Obligations: Rule 9 mandates that bulk consumers dispose of e-waste only through registered handlers, improving traceability and compliance.
• E-Waste (Management) Amendment Rules, 2024: Provision for trading EPR certificates as per guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) with its approval. 
  • The CPCB  will set the price range for Extended Producer Responsibility certificates at 100% (maximum) and 30% (minimum) of the environmental compensation for non-compliance.

Other Legal Framework to handle e-waste

Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016

• Regulates the generation, handling, storage, and transboundary movement of hazardous and other wastes.
• Ensures safe disposal and mandates authorization for waste handling by stakeholders.
• Prohibits import of waste for dumping and promotes resource recovery.

National Action Plan for Chemical and Waste Management

• It is a plan formulated by  CPCB for handling hazardous waste.
• Aligns with India’s commitments under the Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions.
  • Stockholm Convention: Adopted in 2001, it aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
  • Rotterdam Convention: Adopted in 1998, it promotes shared responsibility in the international trade of hazardous chemicals. 
    • It ensures that countries receive information and give prior informed consent (PIC) before importing such substances
• Aims to strengthen institutional mechanisms and promote sound chemical waste management.
• Encourages capacity building, public awareness, and safe disposal practices across sectors.

Challenges

• Low Formal Recycling Rate: Only 43% of e-waste was processed formally in 2023–24.
  • Despite growth in processing there is an overall rise in unprocessed e-Waste  from 22% in 2019–20, 57% (990,000 metric tonne).
• Lack of State-Wise Data: The absence of granular, state-level e-waste data hampers targeted policymaking and localised interventions.
• Exclusion of Informal Sector: Authorities have failed to integrate the informal sector, which plays a crucial last-mile role in waste collection.
• Lack of Incentives: India lacks tax credit systems for eco-friendly product design, which could motivate producers to create recyclable and durable devices.
• Producer Pushback on Pricing: Some argue that floor pricing increases product costs impacting adaptation.
  • However, experts argue that the societal costs of inaction (pollution, health crises, lost resources) are far greater.
• Informal Workforce: In India, informal recyclers (primarily women and children) handle 95% of e-waste.
  • Their average lifespan is under 27 years due to constant toxic exposure.

Way Forward

• Formalisation of Waste Management: India must integrate informal workers into formal channels with training, equipment, and social security to enhance efficiency and safety.
• Tax Incentives for Green Design: Encouraging eco-friendly product innovation through tax rebates or credits can foster a culture of sustainable manufacturing.
  • It will encourage electronics manufacturers for designing products with extended lifespans and repairability features
• Enhance Monitoring: Develop robust state-level data collection systems for better policy planning and enforcement.
• Public Awareness: Mass awareness campaigns and school-level programs can promote responsible e-waste disposal and participation in take-back schemes.
  • Nokia’s Take-Back Campaign failed in India due to lack of awareness.
• Investment: Increased public-private investment in authorised recycling facilities and e-waste parks can scale up formal sector processing.
• Strict Enforcement: Penalise non-compliant producers, refurbishers, and recyclers to ensure adherence to EPR targets and discourage illegal practices.
• Adopting Global Practices: Benchmark pricing, compliance, and safety standards against leading nations.
  • For example, globally, EPR fees are significantly higher, ensuring real impact.
• Right to Repair: It empowers consumers to fix devices, extending product lifespans and reducing premature disposal, thereby curbing e-waste generation.
  • The EU’s Right to Repair law (2023) mandates manufacturers to offer spare parts and repair services for up to 10 years.
• Periodic Review: Establish a mechanism to revise rules based on evolving technologies, materials, and global commitments.

Conclusion

India must act decisively to manage rising e-waste. Strong policies, floor pricing, informal sector integration, and global cooperation can transform this crisis into an opportunity for sustainable growth and environmental leadership.

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