Amid rapidly expanding digital infrastructure, electric mobility, and smartphone adoption and and consequent “alarming increase” in e-waste and end-of-life battery waste, environmentalists gathered in the national capital to delve into the critical issues in the recycling ecosystem as India stands as the third-largest producer of e-waste globally, contributing nearly 10 percent of the world’s total output.
Experts from across the country gathered to deal with the sustainable management of e-waste, ahead of the Bharat Recycling Show 2025.
The stakeholders at the event highlighted that while India’s e-waste management market is estimated to grow from $2.96 billion in 2024 to 8.92 billion by 2033, the current systems for collection, traceability, and environmentally sound disposal are inadequate.
The programme served as a vital platform for discussion on government initiatives, policy implementation, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, and the practical challenges surrounding the safe and sustainable management of e-waste and used batteries.
Satish Sinha, Associate Director, Toxics Link said, “Despite the presence of well-framed rules, the absence of stringent enforcement, effective penalties, and coordinated monitoring continues to enable non-compliant practices.”
Other panelists at the roundtable flagged the issue of government auctions often being accessed by intermediaries or informal players, defeating the objective of responsible recycling.