What are the impediments in disposing the huge quantities of discarded solid wastes which are continuously being generated? How do we remove safely the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment?

• India is 3rd largest e-waste generator after China & USA according to Global E-Waste Monitor 2020. • Only about 20% is recycled in India.

⇒ The major impediments in disposing the huge quantity of e-waste generated in India:

1. lack of dedicated & robust e-collection chain: → only 15% e-waste is collected along & rest of the waste, rest all is collected by informal sector workers, using hazardous methods such as open-air incineration & acid leaching.

2. lack of infrastructure: At present 567 authorised CPCB recyclers in 29 states & total recycling capacity of 1.7 mn tonnes, which is insufficient for the amount of waste generated in our country.

3. Limited coverage: E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 covered only 21 types of electrical & electronic equipment, more than 100 types are included in the amendment of 2022.

4. Limited involvement of Urban Local Bodies: E-waste does not fall in the list of garbage to be collected by municipalities thus there is no mandate for municipalities to collect it. → ULBs are responsible for only collection & channelising 'orphan products' to authorised recyclers.

5. Lack of Awareness & Financial incentives: most consumers have no awareness about reckless disposal of e-waste generated. • lack of market information about prices for various e-waste components, → few financial incentives for responsibly disposing of their e-waste.

Various measures can be adopted for timely & safe recycling of e-wastes, such as:

1. Separate department in urban local bodies: e-waste generated in urban areas thus ULBs should be made enabling for this.

2. Market information about E-waste prices: → The prices should be widely publicized among urban customers to create a powerful market signal for customers to sell it to recyclers.

3. Strengthen unorganised sectors: → Grant schemes for incentivizing small-scale informal e-waste recycling centres to upgrade the facilities so that they comply c environmental & safety regulations.

4. Lessons from developed countries: In EU rules were set up in 1990s; yet only 48% of e-waste is recycled, thus India should prioritize on incentivizing the customers to recycle their e-waste.

5. Setting up of Repair & Reuse Cafe: repair centres to be set up to extend the life of electronic appliances.

6. Instructing producers to design while keeping recycling in mind: Thus making the consumer recycle easily, adds brand value.

7. Learning from Egypt - E-waste app: → App to ensure recycling & incentivizing by offering coupons for new device.