Just as many opportunity-driven solutions in India, the e-waste recycling sector has also been under the ambit of the informal sector. Whilst this seems unorganized and nebulous to an outsider, it does indeed have an eco-system of its own, a lucrative one too; but at the expense of the exploited, Base of Pyramid labour pool.
According to data, the total e-waste generated in India in 2022 was 1601 kt, and 1723 kt of installed capacity with 569 registered recyclers, but only 527 kt is recordedto be collected and processed, ie., 32%. [6]
Around 70% of the treatment of e-waste is unknown, likely dumped, traded, or recycled in a non-compliant or non-environmentally sound way. [2] However, primitive harvesting of valuable components such as copper or gold from PCBs and cables happens through open acid baths or burning, such as in Delhi, leaving appalling impacts on the health of the surrounding population and the environment.
The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) carried out analysis of soil and water samples on the banks of the Ramaganga tributary to study the effects of PCB washing and burning in the region. The samples showed contamination due to high levels of heavy metals. [9] The soil samples were observed with zinc, at levels 15times higher than the USEPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) standards, while copper levels were 5 times higher. Chromium found was twice that of the Canadian standard, and Cadmium was 1.3 times higher. In the water samples, mercury was seen to be 8 times higher than the Indian standard, and with traces of arsenic too. Apart from these, there are also acid solutions that release gases, toxics smoke and ash into the environment. Exposure to these can cause serious ailments such as cognitive impairment, respiratory diseases and even cancer! [10]
In addition, like most developing countries, there has been illicit trafficking of non-repairable and non-reusable electrical equipment in the past, however, the Hazardous Waste Management Rules of 2016 have laid out clear guidelines for used Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) being imported. If imported for repair or rentals, it needs to be re-exported within a year. [7] The policies are well intended to streamline the entire eco-system. However, these don’t trickle down to reality. There still is a major shortfall of materials flowing from the informal to the formal sector.
“Formal e-waste management, at more sustainable economic points, is truly intertwined with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals” – Uttam Doraswami, Elxion Pvt. Ltd.
Rudimentary methods applied suggest that efficiencies of recovery in the informal sector may be leading to losses of precious metals during recycling apart from the catastrophic environmental and health impacts discussed.
Owing to the ugly realities of the situation, India has been proactive in introducing the E-waste management rules in 2011, with updates in 2016 and again in 2022, with the intent of formalizing the sector. The formal sector, i.e., the manufacturer, producers, dealers, consumers, dismantlers, refurbishers and recyclers all of whom(except consumers) need authorizations from the SPCBs to operate, and areobligated to maintain records of the e-waste handled. The current emphasis andpriority for 2024 is the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility(EPR) becoming a mandate. Reduction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) is anotherresponsibility of the producers to ensure the reduction of lead, mercury, hexavalentchromium, polybrominated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers inproduction. Producers are mandated to recycle 30% of what they put into theenvironment the first year, going upto 70% by the 7th year.
This is an incredible magnitude of e-waste getting into the formal stream, and a massive opportunity for employment of BoP, alleviating them from poverty. Once in the formal sector, Labour Laws and safe working conditions will holistically protect their interests. Elxion, for example, offers a private group medical health insurance package for all employees. Further, with the growth in e-waste globally from 44.7 million tonnes in 2016 to the anticipated 150 million tonnes by 2050, there will be a high demand for labour, sustaining their employment and income. Not to forget the incremental growth opportunities available to employees in a formal business environment.
According to the NITI Ayog, 24.82 crore Indians escaped poverty in the last 9 years, from poverty headcount at 29.17% in 2013-14 to 11.28% in 2022-23, and India is on track to reach SDG 1.2 target of reducing poverty by half. Just as all of the Government’s initiatives for nutrition, electricity, education, sanitation and public hygiene etc. have brought us this remarkable progress in development, perhaps new initiatives for e-waste management can bring our BoP out of their misery and into the mainstream industry. And perhaps.. India could be the factory of the world for e-waste recycling. The possibilities are endless..
Resources:
1. Global Waste Management Cell Pvt. Ltd.
2. Global Transboundary E-waste flows Monitor 2022, UNITAR
3. Informal E-waste recycling in Delhi, Toxics Link 2018.
4. Generation of e-waste, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change 2023.
5. E-Waste Management System, EPR E-waste CPCB.
6. India processed only 33% of e-waste it generated in FY22; Haryana, Uttarakhand lead in collection and processing, Money control, 2023.
7. Hazardous Waste Management Rules 2016, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
8. Inter agency group on tackling E-waste, The UN Environment Management Group.
9. Recommendations to address the issues of informal sector involved in e-waste handling, Centre for Science and Environment, 2015.
10. E-toxic trail, Down To Earth, 2015.
