India's Growing E-Waste and the Necessity to Revise Its Management

E-Waste in India

E-waste pertains to the thrown-away electronic and electrical gadgets that have either expired their useful life or become outdated because of swift technological advancements, such as computers, phones, televisions, and various other devices.

India is the third-largest generator of electronic waste in the world, after China and the United States.

Growth: India's e-waste surged by 151.03% across six years, rising from 7.08 lakh metric tonnes in 2017-18 to 17.78 lakh metric tonnes in 2023-24.

Consequences of Poor E-Waste Disposal

Deterioration of the Environment:

Water Contamination: Harmful releases of cyanide and sulfuric acid impact aquatic ecosystems.

Air Pollution: Emissions from lead vapor and burning plastic are critical.

Soil Pollution: Toxic materials seep into the earth, harming farming and ecosystems.

Social Expenses:

Informal Sector Prevalence: 95% of e-waste is processed without formal systems, primarily by women and children.

Health Risks: The typical life expectancy for informal e-waste workers is less than 27 years because of toxic exposure.

Financial Loss:

India is projected to lose more than ₹80,000 crore in valuable metals annually, which could have been reclaimed and utilized in production.

It is projected that India forfeits a minimum of $20 billion each year in possible tax income because of the lack of official accounting and regulatory supervision in the e-waste recycling industry.

Issues in Electronic Waste Management

Absence of Consumer Motivations: Consumers do not have financial or practical motivations to dispose of e-waste in a responsible manner.

Sparse Collection Infrastructure: There is a lack of official collection centers, particularly in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.

Unlicensed scrap merchants continue to be the main contact for the majority of consumers.

Hazardous Recycling Methods: More than 90–95% of electronic waste is processed by the informal sector, employing rudimentary techniques like acid leaching, open burning, and manual disassembly without any safety equipment.

Grey Channel Imports: Frequently, used electronic products are brought into India labeled as "donations" or "refurbished items," ultimately leading to waste.

E-Waste Management Structure

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Producers, importers, and brand owners are held accountable for handling the waste generated at the end of their product's life cycle.

A digital EPR E-Waste platform has been created by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), mandating that parties like producers, manufacturers, recyclers, and refurbishers of e-waste must register.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has thoroughly updated the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 and announced the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022.

India's inaugural e-waste clinic was launched in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

It’s a facility for sorting, handling, and disposing of electronic waste from residential and commercial sources.

Conclusion

India's e-waste issue exemplifies a larger struggle between technological progress and environmental sustainability.

As the nation ascends the digital hierarchy, it must prevent hazardous waste from jeopardizing its economic and environmental base.

The aim should not only be to handle e-waste, but to derive value, safeguard health, and promote green economic development—all crucial for India’s path to Viksit Bharat.