Generation and Management of Electronic Waste in India

Abstract

Electronic waste (E-waste) or waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) refers to obsolete and discarded appliances that operates on electricity. Due to our constantly evolving dependence on electrical and electronic equipments (EEEs) in every walk of lives, the amount of E-waste generated worldwide is thriving at an alarming rate, while the management practices and policy-level initiatives are still at an embryonic stage, especially in most of the developing countries. With respect to countries like India, the current methods of storage, processing, recycling, and disposal of E-waste have immense potential to harm human health and environment. This article is an attempt to evaluate the involvement of various stakeholders in the generation and management of E-waste in India by identifying and assessing them. The dominance of informal E-waste recycling sector along with its all socio-economic, health, and environmental implications is addressed. Current status of formal recycling units in the country is assessed upon. A case study assessing various stakeholders’ involvement is incorporated. The findings and conclusions of the article call for an integrated approach in Indian E-waste management scenario including significant considerations such as the identification of diverse range of stakeholders in the E-waste generation and management processes. A sustainable E-waste management system in the country is only possible by identification of the functionalities of various stakeholders.