Latest news with #E-Waste(Management)Rules
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Want to add 10 million jobs, India? Walking away from "take-make-waste" model alone will do
What does it truly mean to grow, if growth comes at the cost of the very systems that sustain us? As the world reflects on the mounting threat of plastic pollution this World Environment Day, we must also examine the deeper architecture of waste that underpins our economies—one that extends far beyond plastic into the very way we produce, consume, and discard resources. Globally, around 90 billion tonnes of natural resources are extracted annually, equivalent to more than 12 tonnes per person. Yet, only 7.2% of materials are cycled back into productive use after their first life. If we persist with our current "take-make-waste" economic model, this figure could double by 2050, pushing environmental thresholds and leaving a trail of unmanageable waste. The answer to this challenge lies in the transition from linear growth models to circularity. And what makes it more than a solution to an environmental concern is the economic opportunity it presents. Globally, the transition towards a circular economy represents a USD 4.5 trillion growth opportunity by 2030. For a country like India, transitioning to a circular economy could unlock a market value of over $2 trillion by 2050 and create nearly 10 million new jobs, especially in materials recovery, repair services, and circular manufacturing. In a nation navigating both rising consumption and growing inequality, circularity offers a bridge between sustainability and inclusive development. India has made promising early moves in this direction. The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework and the E-Waste (Management) Rules reflect policy intent. NITI Aayog's strategy for a circular economy outlines sectoral plans for 11 industries. More recently, the Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Industry Coalition (RECEIC), launched during India's G20 presidency, signalled the intent to mainstream circularity in industrial ecosystems. The Swachh Bharat Mission has also already been mobilising a behavioural shift around waste in the country. But, as we make progress, the challenge of balancing growth with sustainability must be addressed with approaches tailored to respective sectors. To take the example of the renewable energy sector, which I have had the opportunity to witness and be a part of for over a decade now, a critical question remains underexplored: Is our renewable energy transition circular by design? India's ambition to install 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 is a national imperative, and with ~220 GW capacity achieved, we are well on our way to this target, supported by a conducive policy environment. But this scale of growth also comes with material consequences. As per data, India could generate over 340,000 tonnes of cumulative solar PV waste by 2030. Globally, more than 90% of decommissioned solar panels end up in landfills today. Without urgent intervention, we may be solving one problem—carbon emissions—while inadvertently creating another. One overlooked aspect is the role of plastics in the solar PV value chain. From polymer-based back sheets and encapsulants to junction boxes, plastics are embedded in every panel. Still, these components are rarely recycled due to a lack of separation technologies or material recovery incentives. The result? A growing stockpile of future e-waste. How do we solve for this? India currently has fewer than 15 registered PV recycling units, and there is no dedicated regulation to manage solar waste. This is a space where more proactive planning and innovation can flourish. I see three ways to do this: 1. Clear national guidelines for the decommissioning of solar and wind assets, expanding the Extended Producer Responsibility framework to cover renewable energy equipment, and embedding circularity criteria into public procurement norms. 2. Targeted investments in research and development are needed to improve material recovery and to encourage innovation in modular, repairable system designs that extend product life. Businesses, too, must operationalise this shift by adopting service-based models like solar leasing that incentivise lifecycle accountability, and by building partnerships with recyclers to create scalable take-back schemes. 3. Finally, we need greater transparency and Traceability across the value chain, supported by an open digital registry of clean energy assets to track their lifecycle and manage end-of-life recovery. Some encouraging signs are already emerging. There are companies around the world that have recovered up to 90% of materials from decommissioned panels. Of course, circularity does not begin and end with industry. The government can draw from global best practices, such as Japan's city-level circular districts or the Netherlands' procurement-led material innovation. It must also align fiscal and regulatory levers to reward circular behaviour. Citizens, too, play an important role by embracing shared, localised systems of energy access, advocating for sustainable choices, and participating in community-led reuse and repair initiatives. A truly circular economy will require deep collaboration across disciplines and stakeholders. It will mean rethinking value, embracing restraint, and designing for longevity, not just convenience. This World Environment Day, let us move beyond symbolic gestures. Let us commit to building systems that do not just reduce harm but actively regenerate. Because the time to rethink, redesign, and regenerate is not tomorrow, it is now. (Vaishali Nigam Sinha is Co-founder and Chairperson, Sustainability, ReNew.)
India Today
3 days ago
- Business
- India Today
From trash to treasure: The rise of doorstep e-waste recycling
India's digital boom has come with a dark side: mountains of discarded electronics. Unsafe recycling practices and a booming appliance market have turned e-waste into one of the country's fastest-growing environmental Today spoke with Rohan Gupta, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Attero, to explore how doorstep e-waste collection is transforming how urban India disposes of its old devices, with accountability, convenience, and long-term impact in SCALE OF THE PROBLEMIn 2023–24, India generated nearly 3.8 million metric tonnes (MMT) of e-waste—a 100% increase in just ten years. A majority of it is processed informally through hazardous methods like acid leaching and open-air burning, exposing workers to toxins and polluting air and soil.A MODEL BUILT FOR URBAN REALITY Doorstep collection is gaining popularity for its simplicity. Individuals and businesses can now schedule pickups at their convenience, ensuring their devices are routed to certified recyclers.'People are more likely to recycle when it's easy,' says Gupta. 'Our goal is to make recycling as seamless as a food delivery.'According to Redseer Strategy Consultants, India's e-waste holds $6 billion in recoverable value, including critical materials like cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements. Stronger formal networks could also cut metal import bills by $1.7 billion E-WASTE COMES FROMadvertisementHouseholds are responsible for about 70% of India's annual e-waste. Appliance breakdown by weight includes:Refrigerators: 675,000 tonnesWashing machines: 630,000 tonnesAir conditioners: 115,000 tonnesTVs, laptops, and smartphones: 81,000 tonnesLarge appliances and temperature exchange devices alone contribute 2.5 MMT PUSH PRODUCERS TO ACTUnder the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, producers must recycle 60% of their products in FY24, increasing to 80% by is part of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system, which mandates producers to tie up with certified recyclers and obtain compliance certificates through a central portal. Doorstep collection supports this system by improving traceability and volume FROM GLOBAL MODELSCities worldwide are adopting similar ideas: Stockholm runs mobile collection vans, San Francisco includes e-waste in municipal pickups, and Singapore's ALBA Group offers digital rewards for used by these models, Attero's Selsmart initiative is building a nationwide collection infrastructure with local partners and goes beyond pickups. The system emphasizes data security, transparent logistics, and environmental safety. Every collected item is traceable—from doorstep to dismantling.'This isn't about just collecting more,' Gupta says. 'It's about building trust across the chain—from consumers to manufacturers.'A CIRCULAR ECONOMY WAITING TO BE BUILTOnly 30% of India's e-waste is formally recycled. The rest goes untracked, wasting 80,000 crore worth of recoverable metals and potential tax revenue collection helps plug that leak, bringing efficiency, safety, and circularity to the system while supporting green jobs and domestic supply device use accelerates, India needs scalable solutions now, not later. Doorstep collection is not just about waste—it's about the future of how cities operate.'People want to do the right thing,' Gupta says. 'We just need to make doing the right thing the easier choice.'
The Print
21-04-2025
- Business
- The Print
Balancing Responsibility and Reality: Rethinking India's Recycling Cost Structure
New Delhi [India], April 19: India's push toward environmental responsibility took a bold step with the government's updated rules under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022. The revised framework introduces significantly higher payments for recycling bulkier appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators, and televisions. While the objective–to boost formal recycling and reduce environmental harm–is both necessary and commendable, the method of implementation has sparked legitimate concerns among major OEMs such as Daikin, Hitachi, and Samsung. As the founder of Foxx Compliance Services, an authorised e-waste recycler operating in the formal sector, I've witnessed firsthand both the urgent need for strong recycling mechanisms and the challenges posed by abrupt regulatory shifts. The core issue manufacturers are flagging is the steep increase in mandated recycling costs–a shift that could disrupt their pricing models and strain operational budgets. It's important to recognize that recycling, especially for large household appliances, is resource-intensive. It requires trained manpower, specialized infrastructure, safe dismantling protocols, and environmentally sound disposal of components such as refrigerants and compressors. Yes, the cost is real–but so is the need for fairness and practicality in how those costs are allocated. While recyclers like us welcome the emphasis on formalization and compliance, we must also acknowledge that transparency in cost determination is lacking. The current cost benchmarks appear disconnected from on-ground realities–set without adequate consultation with stakeholders who actually bear the operational load. Let's be clear: increasing recycling cost obligations should not be seen as a punishment. It is a shared responsibility to clean up the mess created by rapid consumerism. However, the formula for calculating these costs must be realistic, data-driven, and regionally adaptive. The cost of collection, transportation, safe dismantling, and environmentally compliant disposal varies widely across the country. One-size-fits-all pricing risks alienating producers and deterring genuine efforts. Moreover, the suddenness of the implementation has left many manufacturers scrambling to revise their compliance strategies, with little time for adjustment or planning. Compliance should not be a shock–it should be a journey guided by clear timelines, collaborative engagement, and shared objectives. What India needs is a robust cost framework co-developed by authorities, producers, and authorised recyclers. Transparent cost models, based on actual field data, must reflect the nuances of each product category. For example, recycling an air conditioner is significantly more complex and expensive than recycling a television or a fan. Recognizing such differences in the pricing structure is not just fair–it's essential for a sustainable system. At Foxx Compliance Services, we strongly support the government's vision for a cleaner, greener India. But we also urge policymakers to listen to the voices of the ecosystem they're trying to regulate. Let's build a recycling economy that is not just ambitious but also achievable. In conclusion, as India takes firm steps toward environmental stewardship, the focus must shift from mere enforcement to enabling compliance. Let's ensure that recycling costs are not just imposed–but justified, understood, and accepted by all stakeholders. Only then can we achieve long-term, meaningful impact in our fight against e-waste. By Shashi Shekhar, Founder, Foxx Compliance Services (Authorised E-waste Recycler) For more information, please visit: (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
