With the advent of the technological hub in India, the need & resources for developing hardware is rising. Moreover, with India’s new motto aiming toward becoming a resilient and self-reliant country, there have been considerable changes and shifts in policy-making. For example, it has urged many companies to manufacture their product with certain tax exemptions.   

Before going to that, let us understand how rapid technological innovation leads us toward a critical environmental issue. This E-waste is being added to the solid waste stream because customers are forced to discard outdated electronics more rapidly due to faster technological advancements. The rising problem of e-waste demands more attention on recycling e-waste and improved e-waste management in India.   

Challenges of E-waste management in India  

When electronic & electrical tools are no longer suitable for their original use, have gone beyond their expiration date, or are being replaced with new technological advancements. It generates electronic trash or e-waste. E-waste includes computers, servers, mainframes, monitors, CDs, printers, scanners, copiers, calculators, fax machines, battery packs, mobile phones, TVs, music players, medical equipment, washing machines, refrigerators, and air conditioners (when unfit for usage) because of the rapid evolution of new electronic equipment and the frequent replacement of older generations, these electronic devices. It has led to an exponential growth in e-waste creation. People frequently upgrade to newer models, and product life spans have also gotten shorter.  

Typically the elements of e-waste consist of metals, cathode ray tubes (CRTs), Integrated circuit boards, plastics, wires, and many more. The treasure in the waste fill is located right into this e-waste as they contain gold, silver, copper, & aluminium if processed with proper equipment and machinery. However, do not get tempted with these precious metals as they contain many hazardous chemicals. These chemicals can have very harmful effects if not dismantled and appropriately processed.   

We have been growing scientific & technological at a fast pace, which has made us adapt to those advancements and replace older electronics. As a result, people are buying more electronic equipment than ever to meet their daily needs and cater to their necessities. Unfortunately, this implies that outdated models of computers, mobile phones, and gaming systems are routinely abandoned. These outdated electronic products are called “e-waste,” or electronic garbage. Continue reading to understand better how to dispose of e-waste and why recycling is the best choice for the environment and you.  

Opportunities for Managing E-Waste in India  

To decrease e-waste generation and boost recycling, the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change released the E-Waste (Management) Rules in 2016. According to these regulations, the government implemented EPR, which requires producers to collect 30% to 70% (over seven years) of the e-waste they create.   

Metals can be recovered from e-waste and reintroduced into the production process. There is enormous economic potential in the effective recovery of precious materials in e-waste, and it can create income-generating possibilities for both people and organisations. The E-Waste Management Rules make it easier and more efficient to manage e-waste responsibly in India. The amended Rules revise the collection targets under EPR. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will be responsible for monitoring and changing objectives to guarantee effective and enhanced management of e-waste.  

E-Waste Management in India: Why Recycle?  

Lead, mercury, cadmium, beryllium, polyvinyl chloride, and chromium are just a few of the dangerous metals found in many obsolete electrical gadgets. These chemicals leak into the soil when e-waste is dumped in landfills, damaging the air and the groundwater.  

Components that include essential raw materials are used to make electronics— saving energy through gadget recycling. It also implies that fewer natural resources will need to be taken out of the environment to create new technologies.  

E-waste is avoided by recycling outdated electronics to keep them out of landfills. It also conserves the materials needed for recycling them. Reusing devices also benefit less underprivileged members of your community. So take your old devices to be reconditioned (if feasible) and give them a new life.  

Recycling also preserves the raw elements that may be used to create new devices. Consequently, low greenhouse gas emissions are released into the environment, pollution is decreased, and energy is conserved.  

Conclusion  

The management of e-waste is a significant problem for the governments of many developing nations, including India. This is growing tremendously and is turning into a significant public health problem. Integration of the informal and formal sectors is crucial for the separate collection, efficient treatment, and disposal of e-waste and its diversion from traditional landfills and open burning. The responsible authorities in emerging and transitioning nations must set up procedures for the safe and accountable management and disposal of e-waste.  

Increasing information campaigns, capacity building, and awareness are vital to support environment-friendly e-waste treatment activities. Further efforts to lessen the illicit trade in e-waste management in India are urgently needed to improve present procedures, including collection plans and management techniques. Since it will aid in prevention, reducing the number of hazardous compounds in e-products will also benefit handling the specific e-waste streams.