The Hindu Editorial Analysis
13 May 2025
India’s rising e-waste, the need to recast its management
(Source – The Hindu, National Edition – Page No. – 08)
Topic: GS 3: Environment | Waste Management | Sustainable Development | Circular Economy
Context
- India is experiencing a rapid digital transformation, but the downside is a sharp surge in electronic waste (e-waste).
- With a 151% increase in e-waste volumes over six years, India is now one of the largest e-waste generators globally.
- The editorial calls for strengthening India’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime through a predictable floor pricing system for recycled materials.
Introduction
In the digital era, innovation must be matched with responsible disposal.
India’s e-waste story is not just about consumption—it’s about the need for a robust, future-ready recycling ecosystem.
If managed well, e-waste can become a resource, not a liability, powering sustainable growth and environmental safety.
The Growing Burden of E-Waste
1. Volume Explosion
- From 7.08 million metric tonnes in 2017-18 to 17.78 million metric tonnes in 2023-24, India’s e-waste generation has nearly tripled.
2. Informal Sector Dominance
- A hazardous majority of recycling is handled by informal, unregulated workers, exposing them to toxic substances like lead, cadmium, and mercury.
- The average lifespan of e-waste recyclers in these sectors is less than 27 years.
Consequences of Poor E-Waste Management
1. Environmental & Health Risks
- Burning and acid leaching release cyanide, lead, and sulphuric acid, contaminating water, soil, and air.
- These practices contribute to pollution-linked diseases, including neurological disorders and cancer.
2. Economic Losses
- Over $20 billion annually is lost due to inefficient recovery of precious metals (like gold and copper) and revenue loss from unaccounted informal recycling.
Recasting the System: Why Floor Price Matters
1. Incentivizing Formal Recycling
- The E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 introduced floor pricing for EPR certificates, but its implementation is still weak.
- Floor pricing ensures fair returns for certified recyclers, discourages underpricing, and levels the playing field with the informal sector.
2. Ensuring Compliance & Accountability
- Predictable prices help build trust, encouraging producers to meet EPR targets and foster a circular economy.
- Recyclers can invest in advanced technologies and environmentally sound disposal methods.
Balancing Economics with Sustainability
1. Cost Concerns vs Long-Term Gains
- Critics argue floor pricing raises costs. But the social and environmental benefits—less toxic pollution, better compliance, and health security—far outweigh minor price hikes.
- Countries with successful e-waste policies (e.g., EU nations) have proven that regulated pricing doesn’t stifle innovation—it fuels it.
2. Moving From Waste to Wealth
- E-waste, when treated as a resource, can drive urban mining, job creation, and materials recovery.
- India’s 73% increase in e-waste generation offers a massive opportunity for green entrepreneurship and circular industry models.
Conclusion
India’s e-waste challenge is surging, but so is the opportunity to lead with innovation, equity, and sustainability.
Recasting e-waste management through a stable floor price system can turn pollution into profit and informal risk into formal opportunity.
For India to truly become a global sustainability leader, it must not just consume clean tech—it must recycle responsibly, regulate smartly, and legislate boldly.