India must manage rising e-waste with urgency

Source: The post India must manage rising e-waste with urgency has been created, based on the article “India’s rising e-waste, the need to recast its management” published in “The Hindu” on 13 May 2025. India must manage rising e-waste with urgency.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3-Environment and Bio-diversity Conservation

Context: India’s push toward becoming a developed nation is driven by digital expansion and rising electronics use. But this growth has caused a steep rise in e-waste, demanding urgent reforms in pricing and policy to avoid environmental damage and social harm.

For detailed information on New e-waste rules and India’s e-waste challenge read this article here

Rising E-Waste in a Digitally Driven Economy

1. Rapid Growth of E-Waste: India’s e-waste increased by 151% in six years — from 7.08 lakh metric tonnes in 2017–18 to 17.78 lakh metric tonnes in 2023–24. The annual increase now stands at 1.69 lakh metric tonnes.
2. Technology as a Double-Edged Sword: Widespread use of electronic items like phones, laptops, and medical tools drives progress but also produces vast amounts of e-waste, demanding proper systems to manage it.

Consequences of Poor E-Waste Management

1. Environmental Hazards: Toxic substances such as cyanide and sulphuric acid pollute water, while lead fumes, open coal burning, and plastic incineration damage air and soil. These practices degrade soil and threaten ecosystems.
2. Social Impact on Informal Workers: Informal recycling is done mainly by women and children. Their exposure to toxic materials reduces life expectancy to under 27 years. The estimated annual social loss from such practices exceeds $20 billion.
3. Economic Losses from Informal Sector: India loses ₹80,000 crore annually in critical metals due to crude extraction methods. Another $20 billion is lost in tax revenue because most informal recycling remains unrecorded and cash-based.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): A Key Policy Tool

1. Concept and Benefits: EPR mandates that producers, importers, and brand owners take responsibility for waste from their products. It supports sustainable design, pricing reform, and shifts burden away from municipalities.
2. Shifting Away from Informality: Since 95% of e-waste is handled informally, EPR aims to redirect waste to certified channels, improving health outcomes and accountability.

Introducing Floor Price: Ensuring Market Stability

1. Fair Pricing for Recyclers: The E-waste (Management) Rules, 2022 introduced a floor price for EPR certificates. It ensures stable returns for formal recyclers and prevents market collapse.
2. Boost to Safe and Modern Recycling: A fixed price encourages investment in clean technology. It improves recovery of metals like gold and copper, reducing landfill and pollution.
3. Correcting Informal Cost Advantage: Floor pricing balances the cost gap between formal and informal sectors. It strengthens compliance, reduces leakage, and encourages certified processing.

Countering Concerns and Driving Innovation

1. Addressing Cost Criticism: Some argue that floor pricing may raise product prices. But the cost of inaction—pollution, health crises, and lost materials—is far greater than the minor impact on consumer pricing.
2. Encouraging Sustainable Product Design: Producers can reduce costs by designing longer-lasting, recyclable products. Globally, EPR fees are higher than India’s floor price, aligning with best practices.
3. Learning from Plastic Sector Failure: The plastic sector’s underpricing led to fake recyclers and loss of trust. Floor pricing prevents such risks in e-waste and supports real innovation.

A National Vision for Sustainable Recycling

1. Linking Economy and Ecology: Weak pricing harms rivers, soil, crops, and communities. Fair valuation of recycling can reverse damage and promote responsible practices.
2. Formalising the Sector for Future Growth: A stable price can transform e-waste into a national resource. It allows India to build infrastructure, ensure compliance, and lead global sustainability efforts.
3. A Call for Urgent Action: A 73% surge in e-waste over five years signals a crisis. With a strong floor price, India can balance development with environmental safety.

Question for practice:

Examine how the introduction of a floor price under the E-waste (Management) Rules, 2022 can promote formal recycling and reduce environmental and economic losses in India.