E-Waste Management: A New Dimension for Waste Management in India

Abstract

E-waste is a serious environmental and health challenge for many countries, especially those that are rapidly developing. Some countries, like Switzerland, have successfully implemented a formal system for collecting and recycling E-waste, exceeding the EU target of 4 kg/capita. However, other countries, like India, face many barriers to adopting such a system, such as socio-economic factors, lack of infrastructure, and inadequate legislation. This paper reviews and compares the E-waste management practices of different countries. It also proposes a road map for developing a sustainable and effective E-waste management system in India that ensures environmental and occupational safety and health. The objective of this research is to examine how e-waste management practices affect environmental sustainability and to investigate the level of awareness of e-waste management among countries. The research is based on an empirical study conducted in India using a structured questionnaire. The study covers six key aspects of e-waste: generation, management, composition, reuse, regulation, and education. The results of the study show that there is a low level of awareness of e-waste generation and its treatment practices, but the concept of extended producer responsibility is gaining traction. Despite the efforts made by the authorities, only a small percentage of the population is aware of e-waste management. The respondents are aware of the harmful effects of e-waste and its potential for reuse. The respondents also express the need for ’integrating e-waste in the curriculum’ of engineering programs.