One would think that with the world going digital by the day, the amount of waste being generated should be decreasing. But this is far from true. In fact, new technologies, and by extension the means of using them, have led to the genesis of a new kind of waste: e-waste.
What is e-waste?
In the simplest terms, e-waste refers to any electrical or electronic equipment that has been discarded. The term loosely applies to computer and business electronic equipment that is near or at the end of its useful life. Mobile phones, computers, laptops, fans, microwaves, hard drives, printers, DVDs, lamps, etc. are all examples of e-waste.
E-waste is a serious issue for the environment because it releases significant amounts of harmful toxic chemicals. When the waste isn’t disposed of properly, it can cause considerable damage to air, soil, water, and human health.
E-waste composition is typically categorized into 6 types:
a. Ferrous metals (containing iron in its composition)
b. Non-ferrous metals (without iron)
c. Plastics
d. Glass
e. Pollutants
f. Others
Major appliances, small appliances, computer and telecommunication appliances, electrical and electronic tools, electronic toys, medical devices, monitoring devices, vending machines, lighting devices, etc. are all different components of e-waste.
One of the Fastest Growing Waste Streams
The Global E-waste Monitor 2020 showed that about 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste were generated worldwide in 2019, of which only 17.4% was recycled.
India is the world’s third largest contributor with about 3.2 million tonnes of e-waste generated per year.
While it is difficult to constantly quantify e-waste amounts, what researchers know for sure is that large volumes of e-waste end up in places where proper recycling facilities are unavailable. The use of rudimentary methods to recover valuable components while disposing of harmful components in uncontrolled landfills raises concerns not only about resource efficiency but also about human health.
This is all the more true in the case of India where e-waste management remains plagued with ineffectual implementation.
A 2020 report by the Central Pollution Control Board revealed that India generated 1,014,961 tonnes of e-waste in 2019, a 32% bump from the previous year. Interestingly, India is the only country in South Asia where a specific e-waste law is in place.
Drafted in 2011, the law provided guidelines for the transportation, storage, and recycling of waste, while introducing the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
For instance, The E-waste (Management) Rules, 2016, mandate bulk consumers of electrical and electronic equipment to:
a.Ensure that e-waste generated by them is channelized via an authorized dismantler, recycler, dealer of the producer, or through the designated take-back service provider of the producer,
b.Maintain records of e-waste generated by them and make such records available for scrutiny by the concerned State Pollution Control Board,
c.Ensure that such end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment are not admixed with e-waste containing radioactive material as defined by the Atomic Energy Act, 1962,
Why is proper e-waste management necessary?
Since many electronic devices contain hazardous chemicals, not disposing of e-waste safely can pose a hazard to humans, animals, and the environment. It is, therefore, critical to keeping e-waste out of landfills.
But that is not the only reason to recycle electronics. E-waste can prove to be of high value for recyclers. Electronic products contain valuable materials such as gold, silver, platinum, copper, plastic, glass, and aluminum. Proper recycling of e-waste can help reclaim these materials, which will lead to reduced demand for virgin materials, which in turn will alleviate excessive mining of the earth.
Data theft is another major concern of improper e-waste disposal. The hard drive inside your computer or the memory stick inside your smartphone is a significant liability. Similar to how you stop someone from stealing your identity or signing up for a credit card with your information, dismantling of your electronics should be done by professionals following standard procedure.
What are some ways to manage e-waste?
The average consumer can adopt one or more of the following ways to contribute to healthy and sustainable e-waste management.
a. Reusing equipment that is still functioning.
b. Extending the life of electronics by keeping them clean and avoiding the overcharge of batteries.
c. Adopt second-hand or refurbished devices.
d. Donating or reselling old working devices.
e. Recycling damaged equipment.
f. Give back e-waste to electronic companies.
g. Give the e-waste to certified e-waste recyclers.
Are there any E-waste Recyclers in India?
There are plenty! We’ve collated a list of 13 companies across the country that provide a varied range of e-waste management solutions.
1.Adatte E Waste Management
This Delhi-based organization utilizes technology and a data-driven approach to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 11th (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and 12th (Responsible Consumption and Production).
Adatte provides pan-India collection, dismantling, recycling, EPR fulfillment, and Data Sanitization services for corporates, educational institutions, manufacturers, SMEs, Government agencies, and producers.
2. Attero
One of India’s largest Electronic Asset Management Companies, Attero sees the opportunity in spinning around the unwanted electronics of today into a sustainable resource for tomorrow.
A true pioneer in the industry, Attero provides a range of services that enable organisations to reduce their e-waste impact. A particularly interesting service offered by Attero is upcycling of electronics that extend their functional life. Other services by the organisation include Specialised Recycling, Li-ion Recycling, EPR compliance, Data Security, Reverse Logistics, and Carbon Footprint Reduction Services.
3. Baobab Clean Tech
Based in Gurugram, Baobab provides high-quality refurbished IT products and genuine spares to customers. Their solutions are built around 1) accelerating circular economy and 2) maximizing value recovery for clients.
4. Binbag Recycling
Based in Bangalore, Binbag is on a “[…] mission to fight climate change by accelerating the circular economy for end-of-life electronics.” Designed for small teams, Binbag offers a smarter and simpler alternative for businesses to recycle their e-waste through their company-owned recycling units and pan-India fulfillment.
Binbag runs its own recycling units that have been approved by the Pollution Board that offer timely pickup services across India.
5. Cerebra Integrated Technologies
Cerebra works on the philosophy of ‘circularity’ and practices the principle of 3Rs with the aim of achieving zero landfills. The organization boasts of having one of the largest e-waste facilities in the country and offers repair, refurbishment, and reuse of all electronic and electrical equipment.
6. E Incarnation Recycling
Based in Mumbai, E Incarnation helps consumers address their environmental and sustainability challenges. By organizing e-waste awareness drives, sponsoring e-bins, and helping consumers donate their e-waste, the company is actively contributing to e-waste management in the country.
7. Ecobirdd Recycling
India’s first informal to formal e-waste management company, Ecobirrd offers environment-friendly end-to-end solutions for all kinds of e-waste. All the company’s operations are dictated by its vital objective to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
WEEE recycling, Reverse logistics, Data destruction, Asset Management, Data Wiping, and EPR compliance are the major services offered by Ecobirdd.
8.EcoReco
EcoReco provides seamless e-waste management solutions to MNCs, Indian MNCs, corporates, retailers, bulk consumers, government departments, NGOs, educational institutions, and original equipment manufacturers.
Major e-waste management services by EcoReco include:
a. Reverse Logistics
b. Data Destruction
c. WEEE Recycling
d. Asset Recovery
e. Dismantling
f. E-waste Recycling
g. Lamp Recycling
h. Precious Metal Recycling
i.EPR (Extended Producers Responsibility) and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Implementation
EcoReco is perhaps the best-in-class scientific e-waste recycling facility in the country that uses the most up-to-date technology from Europe, U.S., and Japan.
9. ECS Environment
ECS has a unique business model that provides an entire life cycle of Green IT products through its IT solution centers, advanced-level repairs, remotely managed services, refurbishing, and e-waste management.
Operating from Gujarat, ECS is a blue company on a green mission and provides Reverse Logistics, Data Sanitization, Asset Management, and Recycling services to different government and entrepreneurial consumers.
10. Exigo Recycling
Exigo is a PRO (Producer Responsibility Organisation) in the e-waste management area working with the aim of providing a simple, straightforward, transparent, and sustainable way to recycle and manage e-waste and electronic assets.
The organization offers rather comprehensive recycling and industry-specific waste management solutions for businesses and corporations. Recycling and Recovery, Take-back and Reverse Logistics, IT Asset Management, Data Destruction, Portable Shredding, Specialized Security Services, E-waste Removal, CFL Recycling, and EPR Implementation are the major services provided by Exigo.
11. Hulladek
Another organization working on the evergreen mantra of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, Hulladek is on the mission to manage the electronic and electrical waste of the country in the most eco-friendly way.
In addition to offering EPR and CSR implementation, recycling, collection and logistics, and data destruction services, Hulladek assists in setting up state-compliant waste collection and recycling centers while actively working to build a strong community of responsible and aware citizens that can lead the waste management movement in the country.
12. Namo eWaste Management
Namo eWaste Management Ltd. is another organization doing commendable work in e-waste management. Based in Faridabad, Namo eWaste Management provides door-to-door e-waste collection services.
At the organization’s recycling plants, the e-waste is scrutinized for reusable materials, and the rest is sustainably disposed of. The organization is on the mission to dispose of at least 50% of e-waste produced in India.
Presently the organization is working with just producers but it soon plans to go B2C with the aim of helping more people dispose of e-waste sustainably.
13.ViroGreen
ViroGreen offers complete e-waste management solutions, from IT Asset Disposition to Data Destruction and Integrated Logistics Solutions, in compliance with the Central Pollution Control Board of India.
