Data provided by the Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs sheds light on the growing use of electronic and electrical devices across the country.
E-Waste
- Electronic waste (e-waste) refers to electrical and electronic devices that have become obsolete or are not functional.
- E-waste contains a number of toxic chemicals including metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and nickel.
Status of e-waste in India
- Increase in volume: India has witnessed a 72.54% increase in e-waste generation over the last five years (from 1.01 million metric tons (MT) in 2019-20 to 1.751 million MT in 2023-24).
- About 57% of e-waste (equivalent to 990,000 MT) remains untreated every year.
- 65 cities in India generate more than 60% of the total e-waste while 10 states account for 70% of the total e-waste.
- Recycling gap: Only 43% of e-waste will be recycled in 2023-24 (22% in 2019-20).
- E-waste management is dominated by the informal sector and lacks environmental safeguards.
- Global context: India is the third largest e-waste producer globally after China and the US.
- According to UN estimates, about 53.6 metric tonnes of e-waste was generated globally in 2019.
E-Waste (Management) Rules
E-Waste (Management) Rules 2022
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Producers are required to achieve annual recycling targets through registered recyclers.
- EPR certificate ensures accountability for recycled products.
- Expanded product coverage: 106 electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) categories have been covered from FY 2023-24.
- Integration of bulk consumers: Emphasis has been placed on disposal of e-waste by public institutions and offices through registered recyclers/refurbishers.
- Registered recyclers and refurbishers have been entrusted with the task of managing the collection and processing of e-waste.
- E-Waste (Management) Second Amendment Rules, 2023: Under Rule 5 of E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, Clause 4 has been inserted in order to ensure safe, responsible and sustainable refrigerant management in refrigeration and air conditioning manufacturing.
E-Waste (Management) Amendment Rules, 2024
- The Central Government may, with the approval of the Central Pollution Control Board, establish a platform for trading of Extended Producer Responsibility Certificates in accordance with the guidelines issued by it.
- The Central Pollution Control Board shall fix the price ceiling for Extended Producer Responsibility Certificates which shall be 100% (maximum) and 30% (minimum) of the environmental compensation in case of non-compliance.
What are the national and international conventions/conventions related to e-waste management
International
- Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (1989).
- India is a party to the Basel Convention.
- Bamako Convention (1991): It prohibits the import of hazardous waste (including e-waste) into Africa and regulates the cross-border movement of such waste from the continent.
- Minamata Convention on Mercury (2013)
- India ratified the Minamata Convention in 2018.
- Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) (2001)
- India has ratified the Stockholm Convention and is committed to implementing its provisions through domestic legislation.
National
- E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022: Emphasis on EPR and appropriate recycling.
- Hazardous Waste (Management and Transit Movement) Rules, 2016
- National Action Plan for Chemical and Waste Management: Reflects commitments to the Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions.
What are the common methods of e-waste disposal in India
- Landfilling: This involves dumping of e-waste into the soil.A serious concern is that hazardous substances are likely to leach into the soil and groundwater, causing environmental damage.
- Incineration: Controlled burning of e-waste at high temperatures (900-10,000°C) reduces the amount of waste and neutralises some hazardous materials.
- Recycling: Dismantling e-waste to recover valuable materials (e.g. metals, plastics) and safely destroy toxic components. This reduces hazardous materials such as mercury, cadmium and lead, reducing environmental and health risks.
- Example: Recycling of printed circuit boards, CRTs, mobile phones and wires.