Understanding the gap between formal and informal e-waste recycling facilities in India

Nowadays, old electrical and electronic gadgets are being replaced constantly by newer versions resulting in huge amounts of waste electronic and electrical products that are collectively termed e-waste. It is estimated that 95% of e-waste recycling in India is done by the informal sector at the cost of their health and the environment. Very little data and no descriptions of recycling processes in the formal sector in India were available in the literature. The objective of this study was to evaluate the status of formal and informal e-waste recycling facilities in India. Seven authorized e-waste handling facilities in West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi were visited and most were involved in dismantling work only. In all cases, metals, plastic and glass are recovered from e-waste in compliance with environmental legislation. Challenges faced by the formal sector include lack of awareness among people and very few collection centers throughout the country. Quantification of e-waste generated in India was difficult as imported second-hand electrical and electronic gadgets cannot be separated for electronic waste. There is no mechanism for collecting data regarding e-waste generation in the states or at the Central government level. It is likely that published estimates are based on the indigenous production and import of electrical and electronic goods. The current installed e-waste handling capacity of 11 × 10⁵ tons/year of e-waste in the country is woefully inadequate and needs to be enhanced as the minimum requirement is estimated to be 22 × 10⁵ tons/year of e-waste.