Why in the news
Rising use of electronic devices has pushed up e-waste sharply, putting Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and a floor price for recycling certificates at the centre of policy talk.
Key facts
- Generation grew 151.03% between 2017-18 and 2023-24, to 17,78,400 tonnes from 7,08,445 tonnes.
- EPR makes producers, importers and brand owners responsible for end-of-life handling of their goods.
- EPR promotes sustainable design, lifecycle accountability, lower municipal waste and formal recycling.
Rules timeline
| Instrument | Main points |
|---|
| E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 | Annual recycling targets through registered recyclers, verified by EPR certificates; 106 EEE items from FY 2023-24 (earlier 21); bulk consumers must use authorised recyclers or refurbishers |
| Second Amendment Rules, 2023 | Clause 4 added to Rule 5 on sustainable refrigerant management in cooling equipment manufacturing |
| Amendment Rules, 2024 | Platforms for trading EPR certificates under CPCB guidelines; CPCB fixes prices, max 100% and min 30% of environmental compensation |
Costs of poor disposal
- More than $10 billion a year from water, air and soil pollution.
- More than ₹80,000 crore a year in lost gold, copper and other metals.
- $20 billion a year in tax revenue lost to informal recycling.
- Health risks for informal workers, mostly women and children, whose average lifespan is under 27 years.
Conventions and national framework
| Instrument | Focus |
|---|
| Basel Convention (1989) | Cross-border movement of hazardous waste; India a signatory |
| Bamako Convention (1991) | Bans hazardous waste imports into Africa |
| Minamata Convention (2013) | Mercury use; India ratified in 2018 |
| Stockholm Convention (2001) | Persistent organic pollutants; India a party |
| Hazardous and Other Wastes Rules, 2016 | Import, storage and handling of hazardous waste |
| National Action Plan for Chemical and Waste Management | Aligned with Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions |
Disposal methods
- Landfilling: cheap but contaminates soil and water.
- Incineration: cuts volume but releases toxic gases.
- Recycling: recovers metals and plastics safely.
Concerns
- Informal handling of 50-80% of global e-waste.
- Too few authorised collection and recycling facilities.
- Low public awareness; toxic leachate and air pollution.
Way forward
- Train and bring informal recyclers into the formal system.
- Use AI and IoT for tracking and recycling.
- Incentivise reuse and repair, as in Germany and the EU.
- Run awareness drives and work with ITU and other bodies.
- Learn from the EU (WEEE Directive, right to repair), Japan (Home Appliance Recycling Law) and China (training the informal sector).
Exam angle
- EPR means producers handle post-use waste.
- Basel (1989), Bamako (1991), Stockholm (2001), Minamata (2013).
- EPR certificate price band: 30% to 100% of environmental compensation.