The center plans to launch an audit of electronic waste and impose a fine as compensation for environmental damage.

Manufacturers who are adding to India’s mountain of discarded smartphones, printers and circuit boards are in trouble as the country’s pollution monitor prepares to crack down on those who shirk their recycling obligations.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will conduct audits of several companies over the next one and a half months to ensure they are following standard operating procedures and recycling electronic equipment. Penalties will be imposed on those found to be violating the rules, two government officials said.

The fines collected as environmental compensation (EC) will be used to fund environmental protection activities, the officials said on condition of anonymity. The E-waste (Management) Rules, 2024 issued in March empower the CPCB to monitor and penalise violators.

“Changes in the e-waste management rules have already been notified. What is new is that the CPCB will fix a range of EC amounts or penalty. The penalty will be different for each industry, by category, depending on the electronic product. For example, the penalty for consumer products will be different from that for IT equipment,” said one of the two officials.

Accumulation of electronic waste

The explosion in electronics usage and increasingly shortened product life cycles have combined with inadequate recycling infrastructure and lack of public awareness to build up hazardous electronic waste in the country. This problem is becoming increasingly important as it leaches chemicals into soil, water and air, and poses safety hazards to the many workers who collect, sort and dispose of it. The rapid accumulation of electronic waste also poses challenges in resource recovery.

“Solving the e-waste problem requires strengthening regulations and enforcement, improving recycling infrastructure and raising public awareness,” said Anjal Prakash, research director at Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business. “Implementing take-back programs and encouraging manufacturers to design eco-friendly products can foster a circular economy. Encouraging formal recycling and technological advances in resource recovery can also help. International collaboration on best practices and supporting research on sustainable materials can further contribute to a sustainable e-waste management system,” added Prakash.

Emailed queries sent to the spokesperson and secretary of the Union environment ministry and the chairman of the CPCB remained unanswered till the time of going to press.

The third largest generator of electronic waste

India was the world’s third-largest generator of e-waste in fiscal 2022 after China and the US, generating 1.6 million tonnes (mt), according to data from the environment ministry. Of this, nearly 33% was collected, dismantled and recycled or disposed of, up from 1.3 mt in fiscal 2021.

E-waste regulations issued in March introduced extended producer responsibility (EPR) certificates, a concept already in place in Europe. This means that manufacturers must either process and recycle the electronic devices they produce or buy certificates. The certificates are mandatory for Indian manufacturers and those who import products, and underscore their commitment to environmental sustainability and responsibility.

“Panasonic in India works only with CPCB-registered and certified recyclers who are verified through technical audits,” said Ritu Ghosh, deputy director, corporate affairs, Panasonic Life Solutions India, which manufactures switchgear, home appliances and LED lighting. “The new system moves from mere collection and recycling to measuring and reporting metal extraction from recycled e-waste, which can further contribute to a circular economy. It also encourages recyclers to adopt better recycling technologies and methods. A phased approach with market dynamics are two important factors that need to be considered to promote a viable, sustainable waste management system in the country.”

Panasonic has a program called Harit Umang that aims to reach out to youth, encourage and educate them on the importance and technical aspects of responsible disposal of e-waste to enable safe and scientific recycling, Ghosh said. This ensures that e-waste ends up in the right channels, reducing the negative impact on air and human health.

The CPCB will set a maximum and minimum price for the exchange of EPR certificates, which will be equal to 100% and 30% of the environmental compensation for failure to meet the EPR obligation, respectively. Under this system, the producer, manufacturer, refurbisher and recycler must register on a portal developed by the CPCB. The new regulations make it easier and more attractive for the informal sector to formalize and ensure recycling in an environmentally friendly manner.

Globally, 62 million tons of e-waste were expected to be generated in 2022, with e-waste generation growing five times faster than documented e-waste recycling, according to the fourth report of the UN Global E-waste Monitor released in March. The report estimates the documented collection and recycling rate will decline from 22.3% in 2022 to 20% by 2030, due to the growing gap in recycling efforts relative to the staggering growth in e-waste generation worldwide.

Doubling the generation of SCSIT waste

According to a United Nations Trade and Development report released last month, India saw a 163% increase in global electronic waste generation from screens, computers and small IT and telecommunications equipment (SCSIT) between 2010 and 2022. The report, “Digital Economy Report 2024: Shaping an Environmentally Sustainable and Inclusive Digital Future,” noted that India doubled its share of global SCSIT waste generation from 3.1% in 2010 to 6.4% in 2022. The report said developing countries in Asia generated the most such waste in 2022, with China accounting for almost half.

Despite the new regulations, electronic waste remains a problem due to insufficient collection and recycling infrastructure, low consumer awareness and the dominance of the informal sector, which uses unsafe recycling practices. In addition, enforcement is inconsistent and manufacturers have no incentive to adopt sustainable practices. The rapidly growing volume of electronic waste is also outpacing the development of efficient recycling facilities, posing ongoing environmental and health risks, according to environmentalists.