Growth of Dismantling & Recycling facilities for E-waste in India

Abstract

Background: Electronic waste, or E-waste, which results from the disposal of electrical and electronic equipment at the end of its life cycle, is emerging as a growing global concern. This waste contains valuable materials that can be economically beneficial when recycled properly. Unfortunately, a large portion of e-waste is handled by the unregulated informal sector, exposing workers often women and children to significant risks of toxic exposure during the recycling process. It requires an economically efficient treatment system that can release and refine specific fractions while maintaining environmental sustainability.

Objectives: The research paper has two main objectives, i.e., (i) analysis of secondary data to reach an acceptable figure of percentage of recycled e-waste over the years, and (ii) the impact of new regulation on number of authorised dismantler & recycler and recycling capacity.

Methods: This study relies on secondary data, which has been gathered from various sources, including government reports, articles, and corporate company reports.

Findings: The production of e-waste is growing rapidly, further exacerbated by illegal exports and the inappropriate donation of electronic equipment, especially computers, from developed to developing countries. After studying several reports, it was found out that with time government and even companies are taking corrective measures to dismantle and recycle the e-waste. Number of dismantlers is increasing as years passes by as shown in Table1. Also awareness among individuals is also rising related to recycling of e-waste. Figures in Table2 show the rise in percentage of recycling on yearly basis. Government of India also sets targets for E-waste recycling in India. Government makes sure that annual targets get increased.