Context:

India's electronic waste (e-waste) generation has surged by 73% over the last five years, rising from 1.01 million metric tonnes (MT) in 2019-20 to 1.751 million MT in 2023-24, according to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

Key Highlights:

The most significant rise in e-waste generation occurred between 2019-20 and 2020-21, largely due to the heightened demand for electronic devices during the COVID-19 pandemic to support work-from-home and remote learning needs.

While data on state-wise e-waste generation is unavailable, the national-level figures are based on sales data provided by producers and the average lifespan of electric and electronic equipment (EEE) items.

The expanded list of 106 electronic items under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, will provide data starting from FY 2023-24. 

• For earlier years (2019-2023), e-waste generation was estimated from 21 electronic items under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016.

E-Waste Recycling

• The share of e-waste recycled in India rose from 22% in 2019-20 to 43% in 2023-24.
• Despite the above progress approximately 57% of the e-waste, or 990,000 metric tonnes, remains unprocessed.
• Despite progress in recycling, the low rate of e-waste processing is attributed to challenges in engaging various stakeholders, including the informal sector.
• Experts advocate integrating the informal sector with formal recycling systems to enhance collection and ensure proper treatment of hazardous materials.
• Experts call for tax incentives for manufacturers to design eco-friendly and recyclable products, though the government has yet to implement a tax credit system to encourage sustainable design.

What is E-Waste?

• Electronic waste, or e-waste, refers to discarded electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and its parts that are no longer in use and are not intended for reuse.
• It includes a wide range of products, such as refrigerators, televisions, mobile phones, computers, and small household appliances
• E-waste contains hazardous substances like arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and persistent organic pollutants.
• These above compounds pose serious environmental and health risks if not disposed of properly.
•  To tackle this growing issue, the government implemented the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, which came into effect on April 1, 2023.