E-WASTE MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY

According to a recent report by the UN Global E-Waste Monitor Report, India ranks third globally in terms of e-waste production, with only China and the United States ahead of it. In the year 2021-22, there was a substantial increase in the amount of electronic waste (e-waste) in India, reaching a total of 1.6 million tonnes. Among these, 65 cities within India contributed to over 60% of the overall e-waste production, while 10 states were responsible for 70% of the total e-waste generated.  

This situation appears deeply concerning. The excessive generation of electronic waste (e-waste) has the potential to profoundly impact human lives. We are living in the age of technology and as a result- a multitude of technical and electronic items are produced. With the passage of time, these items tend to break down and become outdated. Moreover, technology is advancing rapidly, causing items to become obsolete quickly. Consequently, these items that are no longer useful are often discarded or incinerated, leading to a significant accumulation of electronic waste.

In a country like India, a significant issue arises from a lack of awareness among the population regarding the proper disposal of electronic goods. Consequently, people often discard these items in regular garbage. This waste ends up accumulating on roadsides or near water sources like rivers and lakes - it triggers the activation of harmful substances within them. As a result of this activation, harmful emissions start emanating from these electronic wastes. These detrimental emissions, when mixed with the air, not only contribute to environmental pollution but also pose a severe threat to human health.

Moreover, the harsh truth about the current era is- we cannot disconnect these items from our daily life. Detaching technology from our lives is like trying to swim against the current stream of technology and modernization. We can only address this issue by changing our habits, using reuse and recycling models effectively and raising environmental awareness.

The Government of India took a significant step in 2022 by notifying the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022. These rules aimed to digitize the e-waste management process and enhance its transparency. They also imposed restrictions on the use of hazardous substances such as lead, mercury and cadmium in the manufacturing of electrical and electronic equipment to mitigate their adverse impact on human health and the environment.

Furthermore, recently The Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) has published an extensive report titled 'Pathways to Circular Economy in the Indian Electronics Sector 2023.' This report emphasizes the immediate necessity to reconsider the management of electronic waste and to investigate the possibilities for utilizing its potential. According to the report, implementing this transformation could create an additional market opportunity worth around USD 7 billion.

A circular economy is an economic model in which products are purposely crafted to be long-lasting with a focus on their potential for reuse and recycling. In this system, almost all items are given a second life through processes like reusing, refurbishing or transforming them into raw materials or even utilizing them as an energy source. The informal sector in India is skilled in salvaging spare parts from older electronic gadgets and efficiently conducting economical repairs. Industrial hubs like #Moradabad possess the know-how to process printed circuit boards (PCBs) for the retrieval of valuable materials like gold and silver.

We can accelerate the circular economic model by aligning laws with implementation and investing in recycling technology R&D within the renewable energy industry.  For this, promoting tech transfer with global recycling firms and setting up composting centers in cities to reuse organic waste is very important. Apart from that, people need education on practices like #recycling, #reproducing, #remanufacturing, and redesigning. Collaboration between governments and local authorities is necessary to establish recycling centers in towns and villages. The government should establish an advanced framework for circular economy reporting to maintain transparency. NGOs and self-help groups can contribute significantly by raising awareness, offering education and providing waste management training.

The concept of a circular economy combined holds tremendous promise in addressing the ever-growing problem of electronic waste (e-waste). By implementing it, we can pave the way for a more sustainable and responsible electronics industry. This shift not only benefits the planet but also promotes economic growth and improves the quality of life for future generations.

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