The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has recently released estimates of e-waste generation in India at a national level, shedding light on the country’s electronic waste management scenario. A press release was issued on the same on 20th July, 2023.
According to the data collected from countrywide sales and the average life of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) as mandated under the E-waste Management Rules, 2016, India generated approximately 13,46,496.31 tonnes and 16,01,155.36 tonnes of e-waste in the financial years 2020-21 and 2021-22, respectively.
In a proactive move to improve e-waste management and promote environmental sustainability, the Ministry has taken comprehensive measures by revising the previous set of rules. The new E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 were notified in November 2022 and have been in effect since 1st April 2023. These rules aim to ensure the environmentally sound handling of e-waste and establish an improved Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime for e-waste recycling. Under the EPR, all manufacturers, producers, refurbishers, and recyclers are required to register on a portal developed by CPCB.
One of the key aspects of the new rules is to facilitate the transformation of the informal e-waste sector into a formal one, thus ensuring that e-waste recycling is done in an environmentally responsible manner. The provisions also introduce measures for environment compensation and verification & audit to ensure compliance with the regulations. Emphasizing on the promotion of a Circular Economy, the new rules advocate scientific recycling and proper disposal of e-waste.
To enforce the E-Waste (Management) Rules across the country, an Action Plan has been set in place, and it is being actively implemented by all the States/UTs and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committees (PCCs). As part of the action plan, an e-waste Management review portal has been developed to monitor the status and progress of e-waste management initiatives.
In a positive development, during the financial year 2021-22, India successfully collected and processed 5,27,131.57 tonnes of e-waste, showcasing the country’s commitment to better e-waste management. The collective efforts made by various stakeholders in the public and private sectors have played a crucial role in achieving this milestone.
