India now ranks as the world’s third-largest producer of e-waste, generating over 3.23 million metric tonnes annually, trailing only behind the United States and China. Notably, a mere fraction of this waste ends up in landfills. However, the prevailing concern is that about 95% of e-waste is still managed by the informal sector, highlighting a critical need for effective regulatory oversight and improved recycling practices.
According to a recent report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), India saw a 27% increase in e-waste generation in just one year, from 771,215 tonnes in 2018-19 to 1,014,961 tonnes in 2019-20. Despite this rise, e-waste collection remains abysmally low, with only 10% collected in 2018-19—an improvement over the 3.5% collected the previous year.
Globally, e-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream, with a record 62 billion kg generated in 2022 alone. Asia leads as the top generator, followed by the United States and Europe. The disparity in e-waste generation between developed and developing countries remains stark, with developed regions generally having more robust management systems.
India’s challenge is not just in managing the staggering volume of e-waste but also in addressing the influx of waste from other countries, complicating efforts to track and manage domestic e-waste effectively. The rapid economic expansion and increasing consumption by a growing middle-income group are driving this surge, necessitating a multipronged approach to e-waste management that includes enhancing formal recycling processes, curbing illegal imports, fostering public awareness, and improving product lifecycle management.
