Recyclers push for ewaste imports
Extract
from the article:
India currently generates approximately 3.2 million tonnes of electronic waste
annually, reflecting a substantial resource and environmental challenge.
However, the domestic e-waste recycling industry is facing a significant
setback due to a sharp decline in its operational capacity. Recyclers are
urging the government to permit the import of e-waste, asserting that such a
move is vital for their survival. By allowing imports, they anticipate not only
resuscitating their businesses but also bolstering eco-friendly waste
management, reducing hazardous environmental impacts associated with improper
disposal. The current restrictive policies, however, hinder the inflow of
e-waste from global sources, putting pressure on the informal and formal
recycling sectors alike.
Moreover, the article sheds light on the paradox of India’s
e-waste scenario: despite being a major producer of electronic waste, the
recycling capacity remains limited, and much of the processing is informal,
often exposing workers to hazardous conditions. The call for policy reform is
critical to creating sustainable e-waste handling infrastructure, encouraging
innovations in resource recovery, and generating employment opportunities in
the recycling ecosystem. The dialogue underscores the importance of aligning
regulatory frameworks with ground realities to not only conserve resources but
also ensure environmental safety and economic viability.
My
Take:
A. Self
Employed Indians Inherit Earth
“Hey, look at what I thought of/suggested about this topic, 5 years ago. I had
predicted this! I had offered a solution for this.” In that blog, I emphasized
the potential of e-waste recycling as a golden opportunity for self-employment
among India’s burgeoning workforce. India adds nearly 12 million job seekers
every year, and tapping into the recycling and repairing of electronic waste
offers not just green jobs but sustainable livelihoods. The figures then
pointed out the enormity of the e-waste challenge globally and how recycling
rates were dismally low, hovering around 15-20%. This matches perfectly with
the current concerns raised by recyclers in the article who are struggling due
to inadequate capacity and restrictive import policies.
Reflecting on this today, it is clear that policy inertia
has stymied an industry brimming with potential for both economic and
environmental impact. Back when I wrote about the possibilities, I alluded to
setting up small business models around e-waste in urban centers, leveraging
local skills—exactly the ecosystem presently handicapped by regulatory
constraints. This highlights how early identification of such systemic
opportunities is crucial and how activation from government and private sectors
could catalyze large-scale positive change.
B. Dear
Shri Harsh Shringla Ji - Procuring E-Waste
“What I had foreseen in this recent blog was the critical dependency of India’s
e-waste recycling on informal sectors, and how innovation can empower
micro-scale entrepreneurs.” The 2023 post detailed that over 90% of e-waste
handling remains in informal hands—neighborhood 'kabadiwalas' still dominate
collection. I also highlighted cutting-edge micro-factory models like those
pioneered by Veena Sahajwalla in Australia, spotlighting how decentralized,
small-scale recycling could revolutionize resource recovery in India.
The current article about recyclers urging government
intervention echoes this urgency. Without adequate formal infrastructure and
innovative models, the industry struggles to sustain itself and environmental
damage persists. The link between policy reluctance and survival of micro
entrepreneurs in this field becomes glaringly evident. My reflections affirm
that facilitating imports, upgrading technological assimilation locally, and
supporting entrepreneurship are critical steps if India is to convert its e-waste
liability into an asset.
Call to
Action:
To the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Ministry of
Commerce and Industry, I urge you to consider a holistic revision of
regulations governing e-waste imports, enabling responsible inflow to feed
recycling enterprises. This is not only essential for the survival of existing
recyclers but will also stimulate job creation, foster innovation, and enhance
India’s commitment to sustainable development. Collaborative frameworks
involving formal and informal actors, technology transfer, and skill
development must underpin this policy reform. Let us enable India’s e-waste
recycling sector to transform from a struggling industry into a beacon of
circular economy success.
With regards,
Hemen Parekh
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