E-waste or electronic waste is typically referred to discarded mobile phones, chargers, computer monitors, headphones, CDs, refrigerators and air conditioners among many other things. E-waste is growing exponentially in the country. The growth of the information and communication technologies has catapulted and enhanced the way electronic products are consumed and increased the magnanimity of its adoption. Electronic products are prone to obsolescence and upgradation which speeds up the consumer behaviour to discard them. These discarded old products accumulate to form e-waste which merges with the solid waste stream and compounds the waste disposal woes.

Majority of the e-waste recycling in India is carried out in the informal sector via primitive methods. Efficient handling and recycling of e-waste requires adequate legislative measures, and solutions that are cost-effective, eco-friendly and use the latest technologies.

Attero recycling pvt ltd states that electronic waste has emerged as a serious health and environmental issue in India. Computer devices account for 70% of annual e-waste that India generates, 12% is contributed by the telecom sector, 8% and 7% by medical equipment and electronic equipment respectively. The amount of e-waste generated in India varies from state to state. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh produce maximum amount of e-waste, followed by West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Delhi, Gujarat, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh.

The importance of effectively handling and recycling e-waste is gaining momentum globally. Studies reveal that by lowering the generation of e-waste and limiting it from entering the waste stream, and improving end-of-life handling, can prove instrumental and beneficial in the move towards building a more circular economy. In a circular economy, waste is reduced, resources are optimally conserved, and strategically fed back to the supply chain from production of new products.

Attero recycling pvt ltd explains that India has had laws to manage e-waste since the year 2011. The law mandates only authorised recyclers and dismantlers to collect e-waste. The E-waste Management Rules, 2016 was passed by the government and enacted in October 2017. Over 21 products (Schedule-I) were included under the purview of the rule. Components of electrical and electronic equipment were also included under the purview of the rule. The rule has played an instrumental role in strengthening the Extended Producer Responsibility, considered as the best practice globally for effective management of end-of-life products.

Despite these rules, close to 80% of e-waste in the country continues to be broken down, at a huge environmental and health cost, and polluting the soil and the groundwater. Attero recycling reviews a report by ASSOCHAM, one of the apex trade associations of India, which reported that e-waste generation in India increased from 1.8 MT per annum in 2016 to 5.2 MT per annum in the year 2020.

India has taken cognizance of the situation and has developed technologies that are economical and recycles plastics and valuable materials in an environmentally sustainable manner. These technologies include two exclusive PCB recycling technologies, viz 1000 kg/ day capacity (~35 MT e-waste) and 100kg/batch (~3.5MT e-waste) processes, with acceptable environmental norms. It must be noted that e-waste also contains plastic, which constitutes nearly 25% of its weight. India has developed technologies for novel recovery and conversion of waste plastics to value-added products. The technology can convert 76% of the waste plastic into suitable usable material.

Attero recycling reviews that there is gargantuan potential in augmenting e-waste recycling in the country, and over the last few years, India has made massive strides and taken right steps towards it. However, despite it e-waste still continues to be ignored and rot in waste disposal plants. A lot of ground needs to be covered by conducting awareness campaigns about the ill-effects of the e-waste, implementing skill development programmes, investing in programmes that aim at building the human capital required for the job, and promoting adoption of safe technologies for the effective recycling of the e-waste. E-waste can act as gold for India, if India learns to recycle, regulate and recover in a timely manner