Virtual Workshop Emphasizes Importance of Take-back or Exchange Programmes for E-waste Management in India
(GIZ) GmbH and RLG Systems India Private Limited have joined forces for the implementation of a three-year-long Public Private Partnership Project titled “Setting Up Innovative Value Chain for e-Waste Management” also known as “E-Safai” initiative. The project is being funded through the develoPPP programme that GIZ implements on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and
The primary objective of this landmark programme is to cultivate awareness regarding safe and sustainable handling of e-waste among various stakeholders, including Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), schools, retailers, and bulk consumers. E-Safai intends to emphasise on the process of refurbishment, dismantling and recycling of e-waste in an environmentally sound manner.
The subject of accumulating E-waste in the country is one of grave concern, considering that there are no effective E-waste disposal mechanisms in place. Presently, India ranks third among the E-waste-producing countries. We generate more than 2 million tons of E-waste every year, recycle less than 2% of our annual E-waste, and also import large amounts of E-waste from other countries. According to a 2020 report by the Central Pollution Control Board, India generated 1,014,961 tonnes of e-waste in FY 2019-2020, increasing 32% from FY 2018-2019; the report found that only 3.6% and 10% were actually collected in the country in 2018 and 2019, respectively. The Indian e-waste management market is estimated to project a CAGR of 8.24% in volume and 14.25% in revenue during the forecast period 2021-2026.The thriving IT industry and the growing adoption of modern technologies is leading to an increase in generation of E-waste and poses severe health and environmental risk since it is highly toxic. Also noteworthy is the fact that technological advancements are designed to reduce product lifespan and will thus be replaced by new devices sooner. This will add on further to the generation of E-waste.
Further, there is an omnipresent ambivalence among Indian citizens regarding responsible E-waste disposal. In the absence of adequate information dissemination mechanisms, people are largely unaware of the disposal processes and initiatives are undertaken by the local or state governments. Consequently, most of the E-waste, amounting to 75% or more, is stored across various organizational structures, businesses, households and so on in India.
The rate of production is way higher than the rate of recycling. To change this linear process and teach a circular economy practice, take-back programs are needed. As the name suggests, these programs help manufacturers and producers to collect the used products for recycling and making new products, or to be reused in the manufacturing process. This concept has long been used in history as barter systems and exchange programs. A lot of companies are introducing take-back programs that will help them collect used products or materials back from consumers. Take-back programs are not just about buying back the used products; they also heavily use the platform to create the required awareness and enable consumers to dispose of their waste consciously.
There is more than just one benefit of introducing take-back programmes. As opposed to a linear process, where the company-consumer relationship ends with the provision of the product, these programs allow companies to establish passive and direct relationships with the last mile users. This builds a solid customer base and reputation. When products are collected at the end of their usage, they could be disintegrated and reused as raw materials in the processing. This not only helps save costs in procuring materials but also helps save raw materials. Taking back products act as an alternate source of supply of essential raw materials while reducing the environmental impact.
The electrical and electronic industry has been cooperating with the Government in efficiently managing E-waste and has taken various initiatives to handle E-waste responsibly. If the responsibility is shared between the Government, producers and consumers then efficient management of E-waste can be achieved successfully in India.
In the above context, a Virtual Workshop was organized to highlight Potential Contribution of Take-back or Exchange Programmes for E-waste Management in India on 30th September 2022. The workshop aimed to provide an open platform for stakeholders involved in E Waste Management Value Chain to share opportunities, challenges, am experiences as well as raise concerns to policy makers about the implementation of take – back and exchange schemes.
Talking about the workshop, Ms. Radhika Kalia, Managing Director, RLG Systems India, stated: ‘’While technological advancements have made our lives more comfortable, safe and easy, these have also given birth to the problem of increased e-waste due to dumping of electronic equipment at the end of their useful lives. Increased consumption of and dependence on electronic gadgets and tools has contributed to the problem. Dumping of ewaste contaminates the environment and poses great risk to human health as well as the environment. “Take-back” is an important element of the initiative; it enables the collection of used products from consumers and reintroduction thereof to the primary production and processing cycle. Through the take-back program, we seek to encourage the circular economy, minimize environmental impact, forge stronger customer relationships, decrease cost of goods sold, and reduce risks related to hazardous materials handling.’’