India, the world’s third-largest generator of e-waste, is facing a growing environmental and public health challenge. The country produces over 1.6 million metric tonnes of e-waste every year, and the volume is growing at 23% annually. Yet, formal collection and recycling remain critically low, with the informal sector handling over 95% of the discarded electronics.Despite the existence of e-waste management rules and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mandates, only around 500,000 tonnes of e-waste were officially collected in 2021–22, leaving vast quantities unaccounted for.Delhi alone contributes 9.5% of India’s total e-waste, followed by other urban centres like Mumbai, Hyderabad and Pune, where the problem is equally acute. Behind the growing mountains of electronics lie unregulated networks of scrap dealers, repair shops, and backyard dismantlers, who expose themselves to toxic materials with little awareness or protection.To tackle the issue, the several NGOs have launched e-waste management projects across four major cities likes Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Pune.Meanwhile, the informal economy survives because each stage, collection, dismantling, segregation, generates economic value, albeit meagre. A single phone stripped down by hand might earn a worker Rs 80–100. But in the absence of safety standards, the hidden costs include chronic illnesses, environmental contamination, and lost economic potential.Experts stress that public participation is crucial. Consumers must responsibly dispose of electronics through authorised channels and resist selling old devices to unregistered buyers. At the same time, producers must be held accountable for collecting and processing their e-waste under EPR rules.
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