August 13, 2023

Will India turn the tide on its e-waste crisis?

topic:	Pollution
located:	India
editor:	Bindu Gopal Rao

India's rapidly growing economy and rising purchasing power have led to a surge in the consumption of electrical and electronic goods, resulting in a significant increase in electronic waste. 

The issue of e-waste has been prevalent for some time, but came to the forefront of public consciousness when Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio program, "Mann Ki Baat," highlighted a UN report that revealed the alarming fact that approximately 50 million tonnes of e-waste is discarded globally each year.

The volume of e-waste in India, estimated at 1.6 million tonnes in 2021-22, is alarmingly high and indicative of the significant environmental and health challenges it presents. Electronic products contain hazardous substances such as lead, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), etched chemicals, arsenic, mercury and cadmium. Improper handling and disposal of e-waste can result in the release of these toxic materials, posing risks to both ecosystems and human health.

Compounding the issue is the fact that almost 85 per cent of e-waste in India is managed by an unorganised sector that often lacks the necessary infrastructure, resources and knowledge to handle e-waste properly.

The new E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 in India have introduced a standard operating procedure (SOP) for recycling e-waste. These rules encompass a wide range of electronic equipment, including solar photovoltaic panels, GPS devices, modems, air purifiers, laboratory instruments, leisure and sports apparatus, medical devices, and more. 

An essential aspect of the new policy is the emphasis on holding electronics manufacturers responsible for managing their products' end-of-life stage. 

On a more localised level, organisations like Recycle India Foundation are are actively involved in developing and promoting safe methods of disposal. These NGOs work towards raising awareness about the importance of responsible e-waste management and provide avenues for individuals and businesses to safely dispose of their electronic devices.

Furthermore, to ensure scientific disposal and resource recovery, several firms have emerged that specialise in extracting valuable metals from digital devices through proper recycling measures. These firms employ advanced technologies and processes to recover precious metals like nickel, copper, aluminum, iron, gold and silver from e-waste.

The Technology Development Board of the Ministry of Science and Technology has recently signed its second agreement as part of the 'Technology intervention towards Garbage Free Cities' initiative. This agreement signifies the establishment of an integrated plant dedicated to the recovery of precious metals from e-waste.

The employment potential of the e-waste sector is an aspect that is often overlooked but holds great significance. According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the e-waste sector in India is projected to create around 45,000 direct jobs by 2025. Additionally, there is an estimated potential of 18,000 jobs in the allied sectors of transportation and manufacturing.

However, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has released data that indicates that India has recycled only 32.9 per cent of the e-waste generated in 2021-2022. This underscores the urgent need for robust implementation of the policy framework to achieve the desired outcomes.

While the policy framework and regulations aim to address the issue of e-waste, their effectiveness will depend on their practical implementation.

Image by John Cameron.