India's E-Waste Policy Reform and the Growing Industry Backlash

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Electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world, driven by rapid technological advancement and ever-shorter product life cycles. India, currently the third-largest e-waste generator in the world after China and the U.S., produces more than 1.7 million metric tonnes of e-waste annually.

Despite the scale of this issue, only 43% of India's e-waste was officially recycled last year, according to government data. An estimated 80% of the sector still operates within the informal economy, where scrap dealers, often without licenses or safety training, use crude methods like open burning and acid leaching to recover valuable materials-posing serious environmental and health hazards.

In response to these alarming trends, the Indian government implemented the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, effective from April 1, 2023. This policy aims to overhaul the system and move toward a more sustainable, regulated e-waste management structure. However, it has faced significant industry resistance, especially from electronics manufacturers who argue the rules are financially burdensome and logistically impractical.

Key Highlights of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Producers are now mandated to ensure the collection and environmentally sound recycling of e-waste from their products. Specific recycling targets are as follows:

  • 60% by 2023–24

  • 70% by 2024–25

  • 80% by 2025–26 and beyond

Manufacturers are mandated to recycle a specified percentage of their electronic products, starting at 60% for 2023-24 and increasing to 80% by 2027-28 .​

EPR Certificate System

Under the new rules, all producers, refurbishers, and recyclers must register on the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) portal. Operations by unregistered entities are strictly prohibited.

To ensure compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations, producers are required to obtain EPR certificates from registered recyclers. These certificates certify the amount of e-waste that has been properly recycled and are tradable, allowing for a market-based mechanism that incentivizes proper waste recycling and facilitates industry-wide compliance.

Centralized Reporting via CPCB Portal

All stakeholders including producers, recyclers, and refurbishers must register and report transactions via a centralized digital platform maintained by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Expanded Coverage

The updated rules extend to 106 categories of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), up from 21 earlier. New items include routers, smartwatches, drones, vapes, medical devices, and other emerging electronic products.

Inclusion of Floor Price for Recycling

In September 2023, the government introduced a floor price that electronics makers must pay to authorized recyclers. This move is intended to:

  • Ensure minimum payments for formal recyclers

  • Discourage reliance on unsafe informal recycling methods

  • Encourage private investment in modern, eco-friendly e-waste infrastructure

E-Waste Recycling in India: Key Players in the Market

Several companies across India are contributing to formal e-waste management. These organizations play a critical role in helping the country transition to a regulated, circular economy for electronic products:

Namo eWaste Management Ltd.

  • Specializes in recycling electrical and electronic waste

  • Offers IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) services

Eco Recycling Ltd. (Ecoreco)

  • Provides end-to-end solutions, including reverse logistics, data destruction, and precious metal recovery

E-Waste Recyclers India (EWRI)

  • Engaged in collection, dismantling, and recycling of e-waste across the country

Cerebra Green

  • Operates one of the largest e-waste recycling facilities in India

  • Focused on reducing environmental impact and maximizing material recovery

Green Roots Waste Management Pvt. Ltd.

  • Manages various waste streams including e-waste and IT waste

  • Promotes responsible recycling practices

Antony Waste Handling Cell Ltd.

  • Primarily active in municipal solid waste but increasingly invested in waste-to-energy and e-waste management

Arka Recycles

  • Offers diversified recycling services, including e-waste handling

GRKMS

  • Delivers secure and sustainable e-waste disposal aligned with national compliance standards

Saahas Zero Waste

  • Based in Bangalore, known for scientific and sustainable methods of e-waste disposal

These companies play a pivotal role in building a formal and safe e-waste economy, offering alternatives to hazardous informal-sector recycling.

Why the Industry Is Pushing Back

Despite its environmental promise, the e-waste policy has been met with significant backlash from major electronics brands such as Samsung, LG, Daikin, and Hitachi. Key industry concerns include:

Escalating Recycling Costs

Recycling costs have skyrocketed-from ₹6 to 25 per kg to up to ₹80 per kg, due to the new compliance and certification processes. Manufacturers argue this will:

  • Increase product prices for end consumers

  • Hurt small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) unable to absorb the costs

Legal Battles

Several companies have filed legal petitions, arguing that the policy's fixed recycling targets and penalties are arbitrary and may not account for real-world market conditions. Some seek a market-driven mechanism rather than government-mandated quotas.

Implementation Challenges

  • Many producers lack the infrastructure or network for reverse logistics

  • Concerns remain about the lack of authorized recyclers in many regions

  • Industry wants greater transition time and government support for capacity building

Why This Policy Is Crucial

As an environmentalist, I see India’s E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 as a critical milestone in aligning economic development with ecological responsibility. Here’s why the policy is not only necessary but overdue:

Protecting the Environment

Unscientific disposal and informal recycling methods contaminate soil, water, and air. Heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury are leached into the environment, with long-term effects on ecosystems and biodiversity.

Safeguarding Human Health

Children and workers in the informal sector are often exposed to toxic fumes, heavy metal poisoning, and hazardous working conditions. This policy aims to shift recycling to licensed, safe, and monitored facilities.

Promoting Circular Economy

Proper e-waste recycling allows for resource recovery-gold, copper, lithium, and rare earth metals-from discarded electronics, reducing dependency on new mining and preserving finite resources.

Formalizing the Sector

The floor price mechanism and mandatory registration via CPCB aim to formalize the industry, eliminate exploitative middlemen, and ensure transparency and traceability in waste processing.

What Consumers Can Do to Reduce E-Waste

While policies and industry compliance are vital, consumer choices play an equally crucial role. Here's how citizens can help curb e-waste:

 1. Be a Conscious Buyer

  • Avoid unnecessary upgrades driven by trends or marketing.

  • Choose devices with longer software support and upgradability.

 2. Extend the Product Lifecycle

  • Use protective covers, handle gadgets gently, and service them regularly.

  • Keep your devices updated to avoid performance issues that push premature replacement.

 3. Repair Over Replace

  • Get devices repaired instead of discarding them.

  • Support repair-friendly brands and local repair technicians.

 4. Buy Refurbished or Second-hand

  • Certified refurbished electronics function like new and cost less, with less environmental impact.

 5. Dispose of E-Waste Responsibly

  • Never throw electronics into general waste bins.

  • Use authorized collection centers, brand take-back programs, or municipal e-waste drives.

 6. Raise Awareness

  • Educate your community on the dangers of e-waste mismanagement.

  • Encourage local schools, offices, and housing societies to run awareness programs or host collection camps.

India's new e-waste policy is a bold and necessary step toward environmental accountability and sustainable development. While the industry's concerns regarding cost and logistics are valid, environmental and public health costs of inaction are far higher.

This policy represents:

  • A move toward green governance

  • An opportunity to transform waste into wealth

  • A crucial step to protect both people and the planet

But for it to succeed, collective action is non-negotiable. The government must:

  • Improve recycling infrastructure

  • Offer transition incentives for manufacturers

  • Run consumer awareness campaigns

Industries must embrace innovation and eco-design, while consumers must shift toward conscious consumption.

The future of e-waste management in India hinges not just on rules, but on responsibility-shared across sectors and society.

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