Beyond the Bin: Awareness about E-Waste Disposal

As of 2025, India has become the third-largest e-waste generator, producing 1.751 million metric tonnes in 2023-24, attributed to most individuals possessing more than one electronic device, from laptops and smartphones to Bluetooth earbuds, tablets, smartwatches and more. Utilitarian devices like these electronic gadgets are no doubt creating a demand in an individual’s material ecosystem. However, they are just devices working on battery life and software.  So when a day comes that they no longer function the way they used to, we upgrade to another device. After being sidelined, the earlier devices become what is known as electronic waste.

Electronic waste includes more than just mobile phones and laptops, like refrigerators, washing machines, lamps, and other household or business devices (printers, dispensers, dryers and monitors) that contain circuitry or electrical components powered by electricity or batteries. According to reports, in India, 70% of the annual e-waste is generated by appliances like AC (115,000 tonnes), refrigerators (675,000 tonnes), washing machines (630,000 tonnes) and televisions (36,000 tonnes). Therefore, like any other waste, electronic waste must be disposed of properly, especially because it contains hazardous chemicals which may cause cancer and other diseases. 

E-waste can be generated from both working and non-working products that are thrown away, recycled, or donated but ultimately not reused. It is also known as WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) or e-scrap in different regions. It contains valuable resources like iron, aluminium, copper, gold, silver and rare earth metals (neodymium, dysprosium, yttrium, and europium). Low recycling rates thus indicate the loss of these materials, further increasing the need to excavate new mines and harming the environment. In 2022, the world generated a record 62 million tonnes of e-waste, with only a small fraction of 22.3% formally recycled. This amount is steadily increasing, with projections indicating a rise to 82 million tonnes by 2030.

The United Nations has laid out various guidelines on the proper disposal of e-waste, with countries taking their own initiatives. The Indian government has also set out guidelines, which are primarily outlined in the E-Waste Management Rules 2022, which came into effect on April 1, 2023. The rules are built on the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework. Under EPR, manufacturers, producers, refurbishers, and recyclers must register with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and are responsible for the collection, recycling and safe disposal of electronic waste. The rules promote the formalisation of the recycling sector, channelling e-waste away from informal and hazardous processing towards certified facilities. Provisions for environmental compensation, verification and audit have been included to improve compliance and enforcement. In 2023-24, India has shown a visible improvement in its electronic waste recycling rate of 43% from 22% in 2019-20, displaying the positive result of the rules.

In urban cities, recycling centres are required to facilitate the collection and channelisation of e-waste through authorised centres and recyclers, as per the national rules. In Mumbai, especially, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has taken specific steps to address e-waste in Mumbai, like door-to-door collection drives to streamline the collection and handover process to authorised handlers apart from conducting regular public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the hazards of improper e-waste disposal and the importance of using authorized facilities.

The lower recycled e-waste percentage serves as evidence that firstly, it is being recycled informally and not through certified channels and lastly, the lack of awareness among consumers. Many consumers do not know about available e-waste collection systems or the role of municipal and state agencies in managing e-waste, despite numerous campaigns. It is understandable that in rural areas, due to education barriers and fewer awareness facilities, people might indulge in improper disposal of e-waste.

Therefore, awareness cannot be spread only on the shoulders of campaigns and media ads. NGOs along with educational institutes, can actively participate in propagating awareness about e-waste, its disposal and management, by performing skits or a gamified imparting of information. This would engage the students and the young tech-savvy generation, irrespective of their grade, visually and incline them to practice the right way of disposing of their electronic waste. These campaigns must be initiated in the rural areas rigorously as well. The awareness can flow from the youngsters to their family members and their neighbours too. This flow of information can thus become a key in recycling e-waste through authorised channels only, given humans have a tendency to rely on credibility; thus, what could be more credible than a government-authorised channel?

Here are some authorised organisations that guide through the e-waste management process as well as raise awareness-

• Namo eWaste
• Echo-Tech Recycling
• E-Parisaraa
• Saahas Zero Waste

Companies like Google, Amazon, Apple, Dell, Microsoft, LG, Samsung and Panasonic have their own recycling initiatives, in India as well as globally. They encourage customers to dispose of end-of-life products of their brand to them at designated centres or at times also provide pick-up services. These brand-led initiatives strengthen the global issue of e-waste management and also support government initiatives. 

In conclusion, the journey “beyond the bin” begins with knowledge. Only by making electronic waste awareness a mainstream concern can we ensure that electronic devices, at the end of their life, are managed in ways that minimise harm and maximise resource recovery. By integrating e-waste education into schools, leveraging media campaigns and supporting community collection drives, individuals can be empowered to make informed and sustainable choices which are crucial for both the environment and the people.