E-WASTE

MANAGEMENT
 WHAT IS E-WASTE??
In India, e-waste, is defined as electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), whole or in
part, discarded as waste by consumers as well as rejected from manufacturing,
refurbishment and repair processes. [under the E-waste (Management) Rules of 2016—
issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)].
The primary identification of e-waste is that used EEE is no longer fit for its originally
intended use and is ready to be discarded.
All the end-of-life equipment which we intend to discard for the purposes of
dismantling and recycling will fall under the category of e-waste.
If any equipment is not discarded and is kept as it is in a household, repository or
warehouse, it will not be referred to as e-waste.
 WHAT ARE THE SOURCES??
E-waste can be generated from multiple sources.
It is not limited to households, but bulk consumers
like government offices and commercial
establishments, manufacturers and retailers.
Common household products that constitute e-
waste are washing machines, refrigerators, air
conditioners, vacuum cleaners, televisions, personal
computers, laptops and mobile phones.
 In terms of components of e-waste, it is estimated
that glass waste accounts for 37 per cent, which is
the highest, metallic waste accounts for 33 per cent,
and plastic waste for 30 per cent.
 CATEGORIES OF E-WASTE
In India, Schedule I of the E-waste (Management) Rules, 2016 has divided
the various electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) into two broad
categories.
The categories are:
1) Information, technology and communication (ITEW)
2) Consumer electrical and electronics (CEEW)
Different kinds of equipment have been assigned codes and divided into a
total of 21 sub-categories .
• Sixteen types of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) fall under
ITEW category and
• five types of EEE under CEEW category.
 E-WASTE GENERATION
E-waste is generated from domestic production of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) as
well as import of electrical and electronic equipment into the country.

‘Products placed on the market’ (POM) in a particular financial year is a very important
dataset for calculation of e-waste generation.

To be able to estimate the amount of e-waste that India generates as a country, we need to be
aware of the number of units or weight of appliances that have been put out in the market for
sale by producers of every equipment.

Another useful data for calculation would be the average life span after which a product
reaches its end of life.
 E-WASTE GENERATION
 India’s share in global hardware electronics
production is about 3 per cent.
 The production of mobile handsets, and
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and Light
Emitting Diode (LED) products like TVs
in the country has gone up significantly,
and over the last few years.
 The demand of these electronic products is
increasingly being met by domestic
production.
 E-WASTE GENERATION

• Data from the Ministry of Commerce and

Industry indicates that the average share of
electrical equipment in total imports is 9.62
per cent.
• Import of EEE has been increasing at 12.3
per cent annually in the last six years.
 E-WASTE GENERATION
• The estimated year-on-year growth in e-waste
generation (13 per cent) only takes into
account domestic production and consumption
patterns ignoring the import data.
• If import data were included as well, estimated
year-on-year growth in e-waste generation
would obviously go up.
• However, even if we extrapolate based on a
best case scenario of 13 per cent growth, by
2025, India will be producing 7 mMT of
e-waste annually, which will increase to
over 160 mMT by 2050.
 NEED FOR E-WASTE MANAGEMENT
Faster upgradation of electronic product is forcing consumers to discard old electronic products
very quickly, which, in turn, adds to e-waste to the solid waste stream.
Computers, servers, mainframes, monitors, compact discs (CDs), printers, scanners,
copiers, calculators, fax machines, battery cells, cellular phones, transceivers, TVs,
iPods, medical apparatus, washing machines, refrigerators, and air conditioners are
examples of e-waste (when unfit for use).
Replacement of electronics items with newer models due to the rapid technology advancements
and production of newer electronic equipment.
Decreased life of products as people tend to switch over to the newer models.
Recycling e-waste and better e-waste management is the need of the hour for this fast paced e-
waste growing problem.
 NEED FOR E-WASTE MANAGEMENT
E-waste typically consists of metals, plastics, cathode ray tubes (CRTs), printed circuit boards,
cables, and so on.
Recovery of valuable metals such as copper, silver, gold, and platinum from e-wastes, if they are
scientifically processed.
Hazardous effects due to the presence of toxic substances such as liquid crystal, lithium, mercury,
nickel, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), selenium, arsenic, barium, brominated flame retardants,
cadmium, chrome, cobalt, copper, and lead etc. if e-waste is not dismantled and processed in a
proper manner with latest techniques.
Huge risk to humans, animals, and significant threat to the environment even in minute quantities
due to the presence of heavy metals and highly toxic substances such as mercury, lead, beryllium,
and cadmium.
 E-WASTE PROBLEM IN INDIA
• India is ranked fifth in the world amongst top e-waste producing
countries after the USA, China, Japan, and Germany.
• India generates more than two million tonnes of e-waste annually,
and also imports huge amounts of e-waste from other countries
around the world but India recycles less than 2 per cent of the total
e-waste it produces annually formally.
• Dumping in open dumpsites is a common sight which gives rise to
issues such as groundwater contamination, poor health, and more.
• The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India
(ASSOCHAM) and KPMG study, Electronic Waste Management in
India identified that computer equipment account for almost 70 per
cent of e-waste, followed by telecommunication equipment phones
(12 per cent), electrical equipment (8 per cent), and medical
equipment (7 per cent) with remaining from household e-waste.
 E-WASTE PROBLEM IN INDIA
• E-waste collection, transportation, processing, and recycling is
dominated by the informal sector which is mostly unregulated.
• Often, all the materials and value that could be potentially recovered is
not recovered.
• In addition, there are serious issues regarding leakages of toxins into
the environment and workers’ safety and health.
• Seelampur in Delhi is the largest e-waste dismantling centre of India.
Adults as well as children spend 8–10 hours daily extracting reusable
components and precious metals like copper, gold and various
functional parts from the devices.
• E-waste recyclers use processes such as open incineration and acid-
leeching. This situation could be improved by creating awareness and
improving the infrastructure of recycling units along with the
prevalent policies.
• The majority of the e-waste collected in India is managed by an
unorganized sector.
 “This is where the concept of
responsible production and
consumption kicks in, to ensure
that equipment are given a second
chance before being dumped into
the environment, where they can
detrimentally affect human
health and natural resources.”
 Impact of Recycling E-Waste in
Developing World
Almost all e-wastes contain some form of recyclable material, including plastic, glass, and metals; however,
due to improper disposal methods and techniques these materials cannot be retrieved for other purposes.
If e-waste is dismantled and processed in a crude manner, its toxic constituents can wreak havoc on the
human body.
Processes such as dismantling components, wet chemical processing, and incineration are used to dispose the
waste and result in direct exposure and inhalation of harmful chemicals.
Safety equipment such as gloves and face masks are not widely used, and workers often lack the knowledge
and experience required to carry out their jobs properly.
Manual extraction of toxic metals leads to entering of dangerous material in the bloodstream of the
individual doing so. The health hazards range from kidney and liver damage to neurological disorders.
Recycling of e-waste scrap is polluting the water, soil, and the air.
 Impact of Recycling E-Waste in
Developing World
Burning to retrieve metal from wires and cables has led to the emission of brominated and chlorinated
dioxins as well as carcinogens which pollute the air and, thereby, cause cancer in humans and animals.
Toxic chemicals that have no economic value are simply dumped during the recycling process.
These toxic chemicals leach into underground aquifer thereby degrading the local groundwater quality
and rendering the water unfit for human consumption as well as agricultural purposes.
When e-waste is dumped in landfills, the lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and PCBs make the soil
toxic and unfit for agricultural purposes.
Very recent studies on recycling of e-waste has pointed towards increasing concentrations of PCBs,
dioxins and furans, plasticizers, bisphenol-A (BPA), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and
heavy metals in the surface soil of the four metro cities of India, that is, New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai,
and Chennai where e-waste is being processed by the informal sectors (Chakraborty et al., 2018 and
2019).
HAZARDOUS COMPONENTS IN E-WASTE AND THEIR
HARMFUL EFFECTS
 Opportunities of E-Waste Management in
India
• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change rolled out the E-Waste (Management) Rules in 2016 to reduce e-
waste production and increase recycling.
• Under these rules, the government introduced EPR which makes producers liable to collect 30 per cent to 70 per cent (over
seven years) of the e-waste they produce, said the study.
• The integration of the informal sector into a transparent recycling system is crucial for a better control on environmental and
human health impacts.
• There have been some attempts towards integrating the existing informal sector in the emerging scenario.
• Organizations such as GIZ have developed alternative business models in guiding the informal sector association towards
authorization. These business models promote a city-wide collection system feeding the manual dismantling facility and a
strategy towards best available technology facilities to yield higher revenue from printed circuit boards.
• E-waste is a rich source of metals such as gold, silver, and copper, which can be recovered and brought back into the production
cycle. There is significant economic potential in the efficient recovery of valuable materials in e-waste and can provide income-
generating opportunities for both individuals and enterprises.
 E-Waste Management Techniques In India
E-waste management techniques are based on extracting the maximum value from whatever functional or
repairable components can be separated from the waste.
Recycling e-waste can help reclaim these metals and prevent their loss. Some biochemical hazards like
leaching are also associated with the unsafe disposal of electrical and electronic items.
E-waste management techniques can prevent such chemicals and heavy metals from entering landfills and,
ultimately the biotic factors of the ecosystem.
E-Waste Management techniques are generally based on three approaches- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
While the reduction in the use of EEE will lead to less waste generation, which might not be a good
outcome considering the purpose of having an e-waste business.
The other two approaches, i.e. recycling and reusing, can definitely take the shape of a successful business
based on or around models of e-waste management.
 Reusing Approach In E-Waste
Management
• Reusing e-waste means redeploying a discarded EEE that has exhausted its utility in the eyes of the
previous owner to a new owner on acceptable prices and conditions.
• Pre-owned electronic devices discarded by the first owners due to minor faults or a decrease in
performance can be put to good use by other people willing to use them.
• Starting a business centred around reusing old and functional EEE is a feasible business option as it
targets buyers with limited purchasing power.
• Also, if the need for the item is temporary, the consumer will choose to use an old or used product
rather than buy a new one.
 Reusing Approach In E-Waste
Management
• Laptops and PCs, cameras, AC, medical equipment, lab equipment, photocopy machines, etc., are
costly. These old devices can be purchased in e-waste auctions and can find buyers easily after
proper repair and refurbishment.
• This is one of the many reasons why the second-hand electronics market has grown into a big
market in the country today.
• Apart from being cheap, these devices also attract consumers who desire to own the latest
technology but cannot afford new devices.
• High-end laptops, mobiles, gaming consoles, etc., are quite popular among youngsters with limited
purchasing capacity and therefore, are looking for second-hand devices.
 Repairing Business
• Old and non-functional EEE can often be repaired and refurbished with some effort.
• While most consumers today choose to toss out the old unit and buy a new replacement because
it seems cheaper and less hassle, there are also buyers who are searching for such products.
• In India, repair businesses have been prevalent, and repair shops are a common sight.
• It can be in the shape of a local business owner or a company-authorised repair centre. It may
not be news that a large section of Indian buyers prefer to get their faulty devices repaired to
utilise their devices to the full extent before replacing them.
• Some also prefer to buy repaired items simply because it costs less.
• A repairing business can be taken to the next level by further utilising the repairing platform and
selling it into the second-hand market.
• These businesses can be in the form of component-level electronics assembly repair units and
facilities that maintain an inventory of old parts that are difficult to find.
 Refurbishing Business
• Refurbishing Business is different from repairing business as the reworking approach on the e-waste
is different in both cases.
• The refurbishing business always has a broader scope than the repair business and is one of the
most promising e-waste management techniques.
• While a repairing business aims to fix only the particular issue in the device, a refurbishing business
focuses on making the product new-like.
• Refurbishing is a lengthier process, too and requires expertise. It can include one or more of the
steps like cleaning, lubrication, replacement of consumable items repairs, doing a firmware upgrade
or factory reset, and cosmetic improvements.
 Recycling Approach In E-Waste
Management

• An E-waste recycling business can include any or all steps of E-Waste management techniques.
• These include ranging from collection and transportation to the processing, recycling and disposal
of EEE waste.
• In India, this segment of waste processing is dominated by the informal sector.
• The present e-waste recycling units in the informal sector can also get authorised and unlock their
vast potential in the business as authorised collectors, dismantlers, recyclers and PROs.
 Recycling Approach In E-Waste
Management
• Collection And Transportation Of E-Waste
Collection is the first stage in E-waste Management.
Simple Issues like software obsolescence, cracks, scratches, misaligned body, reduced performance,
or some technical malfunctioning in an otherwise good product can make the user discard it and
buy a new product.
But such e-waste is not all waste and the e-waste collector is the first entity that handles this waste.
After the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in India, companies increasingly
rely on a collection and exchange policy as an e-waste management technique.
In this, they implement measures to take back old gadgets when a customer buys a later version.
Mobile and electronics exchange is typical these days, and both offline and online market has this
option.
The manufacturers and sellers engage collection specialists to do this work.
 Recycling Approach In E-Waste
Management
• Collection And Transportation Of E-Waste
A few recycling companies have also set up deposit return/ refund System (DRS) facilities in the form of drop-off
points for products such as cell phones and tablets, after which they are sent to further stages of recycling.
This model can be replicated in areas where such collection is non-existent or depends on local raddiwalas and
kabadiwalas by utilising their knowledge of waste collection.
Door to Door E-waste Collection: The E-Waste management techniques involving collection are being initiated by
government agencies to prevent e-waste from reaching landfills or the informal sector.
In this approach, the municipal bodies encourage the local population to sell their e-waste from the convenience of
their homes to collectors.
Private collectors and transporters are hired for this purpose.
This scheme has been implemented in a few cities like Delhi with much success.
Many private entities have realised the potential of such initiatives in waste management and started to implement
similar waste collection models.
 Segregation And Storage Of E-Waste
• Segregation of e-waste is done with a focus on the value of the component in the e-waste.
• The age of the product does not matter much in this form of E-Waste management technique.
• Segregation, therefore, calls for a trained eye. New entrepreneurs and existing traders can increase their revenue by
building segregation and storing capabilities along with their existing e-waste business.
• However, the unit must be built on the guidelines provided by CPCB and SPCB and follow the standard operating
procedure(SOP) in the E-waste Management Rules.
• Primary segregation is done by the small group of traders who buy the waste from the Kabbadiwalas.
• Secondary segregation, as per the demand of dismantlers, can be done by experienced and authorised segregation
and small dismantlers.
• Small traders collect a lot of e-waste and dismantle particular components from the waste (for example, PCB from
EEE, CRT from monitors etc.) and sell them to the big traders and wholesalers dealing in e-waste. Anyone with
limited resources or finances can start with this model and gradually expand the scope of their business afterwards.
 Dismantling Of E-Waste
• Dismantling is a part of e-waste recycling that involves a person or an organisation
disassembling used electrical and electronic equipment into its components.
• Any dismantling operation without authorization from the concerned SPCB is
considered as causing environmental damage and attracts penal provisions as per the
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Dismantler can apply for Authorization in Form- IV and obtain consent to establish
(CTE) and to operate (CTO) under the Water Act, 1974 and the Air Act, 1981.
 Setting Up A Producer Responsibility
Organisation (PRO)
• The concept of Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) was introduced to manage the EPR
liabilities of PIBOs (Producers, Importers & Brand Owners).
• PRO is doing the recycling function on behalf of the PIBOs in e-waste and plastic packaging waste
recycling.
• PROs have been in massive demand in recent times, and such facilities have risen as one of the top
E-waste management techniques after the Single-use-Plastic Ban and the 2022 Amendments of
Plastic Waste Management Rules.
• Many dismantlers and recyclers of E-waste have developed themselves into PRO after gaining
authorisation and installing the necessary infrastructure.
• PROs also operate an e-waste take backs system on behalf of Producers and ensure collection and
transportation to authorised treatment and recycling centres.
 How Can Governments, City Administration,
and Citizens Help?
• Govt. may collaborate with the industry to draw out formal/standard operating procedures and a phased approach towards the agenda
of reducing e-wastes to the lowest.
• Considering the adverse impacts caused by untreated e-waste on land, water, and air; the government should encourage the new
entrepreneurs by providing the necessary financial support and technological guidance.
• Establishment of start-ups connected with e-waste recycling and disposal should be encouraged by giving special concessions.
• The unorganized sector has a well-established collection network. But it is capital-intensive in case of organized sector. Therefore, if
both the sectors coordinate and work in a harmonious manner, the materials collected by the unorganized sector may be handed over
to the organized sector to be processed in an environment-friendly way.
• In this kind of scenario, the government can play a crucial role between the two sectors for successful processing of the e-waste. It is
high time that the government takes a proactive initiative to recycle and dispose of e-waste safely to protect the environment and
ensure the well-being of the general public and other living organisms.
• At present, Design for Environment (DfE) is attracting much attention in the world as a new method to solve environmental pollution.
DfE principle in the product design is a process to significantly reduce the environmental impact of products being put into the
market. It is often seen that the robust rules in India are ineffective due to slack implementation.
• The citizens have a very important role to play in e-waste management by immediately stopping the unhealthy practices of e-waste
disposal.
 Conclusions
• Increasing information campaigns, capacity building, and awareness is critical to promote
environment friendly e-waste management programmes.
• Increasing efforts are urgently required on improvement of the current practices such as
collection schemes and management practices to reduce the illegal trade of e-waste.
• Reducing the amount of hazardous substances in e-products will also have a positive effect in
dealing with the specific e-waste streams since it will support the prevention process.
• Many business opportunities have developed in and around E-Waste management
techniques, and there is scope for further growth too.
• E-waste management techniques create job opportunities for unskilled workers like
kabadiwalas, raddiwalas, ragpickers, dismantlers, etc., who are involved in collecting,
dismantling and processing varieties of e-waste.
 Conclusions
• Mobile phone manufacturer Nokia is one of the very few companies that seem to have made serious effort
in this direction since 2008.
• The companies were made responsible for creating channels for proper collection and disposal of e-waste in
accordance with a Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) approved EPR Authorization plan in India.
• Recently, the import license of some of the big companies were suspended for violation of E-waste rules.
• Such measures have a great impact on effective implementation of e-waste management in India.
• In the field of e-waste management, the government must announce incentives, which could be in the form
of tax concessions or rebates, to ensure compliance across the electronics industry.
• Additionally, the e-waste collection targets need to be regularly reviewed and renewed to ensure compliance
across India on collection of e-waste.
THANK YOU…