Green Diwali, Gold Economy: How Circularity Can Power India’s Festive Growth

As Diwali lamps brighten our homes and minds, there is a kind of gold that often goes unnoticed: the wealth locked in what we throw away. This year, as India shops, decorates, upgrades gadgets, and gifts with gusto, embracing circularity in e-waste recycling, plastic recycling, and refurbished electronics doesn't just mean doing good—it could supercharge festive growth at scale.

The Growing E-waste Bonanza
India's e-waste generation has leapt from about 1.01 million metric tonnes in 2019-20 to around 1.75 million MT in 2023-24—a ~73% rise in five years, as per a recent report by Down to Earth. Yet, only 43% of that is formally processed, while over 990,000 MT remains unprocessed, largely handled by informal channels with low safety and low recovery.

Meanwhile, India's capacity to recycle e-waste has also expanded, with over 322 registered recyclers now reporting a processing capacity of about 22.09 lakh (2.2 million) MT per annum, and a refurbishing capacity of 92,000 MT. The recovery rates under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime have jumped to a whopping 70.71% in FY 2024-25 from 61.94% the year before.

This isn't just an environmental imperative. Untapped metals in e-waste, such as gold, silver, copper, and rare earths, represent billions in value. Some estimates put India's recoverable metal value in e-waste at a staggering USD $6 billion.

Plastic: A Festive Footprint to Cool Down
Festivities often bring in a surge in plastic use with gift packaging, décor, and disposable partyware. India already generates 3.4 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, of which only 30% is currently recycled, as reported by a recent article in Business Standard. That leaves a massive gap and risk, as the rest often ends up in landfills or rivers, eventually breaking down into microplastics that enter the food chain. This becomes an environmental cost that dims the sparkle of celebrations in the long term. But on the upside, it creates a massive opportunity for industry, waste collectors, communities, and brands to scale plastic recovery and recycling solutions that aren't just sustainable but also economically rewarding.

Refurbished Electronics: A Rising Star
Diwali also drives major gadget upgrades, like new phones, laptops, and speakers. The refurbished electronics market is riding that wave. In India, it's expected to grow from USD 12.5 billion in 2024 to USD 52.2 billion by 2035, at a CAGR of 13.9%, as per another recent report by Market Research Future. This growth means more affordable access for many, extended device lifecycles, lower embodied emissions, and less pressure on raw material extraction.

Circularity as Festive Growth Engine
Putting this together: what if we treat the 2020s Diwali not just as a season to consume, but to circulate? This could result in:

• Job Creation & Livelihoods: Formalising e-waste and plastic recycling, refurbishing electronics, and improving collection networks (including informal workers) could create tens of thousands of green jobs. For example, Delhi's upcoming e-waste eco-park at Holambi Kalan is expected to generate 1,000+ green jobs.

• Economic Value: India is losing nearly ₹80,000 crore annually to the informal e-waste sector in uncollected taxes, unrecovered materials, and inefficiencies, as per a recent report by a leading media publishing house. Formalising that not only plugs revenue leaks but also creates value chains.

• Sustainability & Brand Goodwill: Brands embracing refurbishing, packaging reuse, or take-back programs can ride the growing consumer appetite for sustainable goods. This builds differentiation in a crowded festive market.

• Environmental & Health Gains: Less plastic in landfills translates to fewer toxic metals leaching from informal e-waste dismantling, creating safer workplaces. Clean air, clean rivers, and fewer toxins in soil mean future Diwalis are brighter in more ways than one.

What Needs to Happen—Quickly
To power this "Gold Economy" anchored in circularity during festive seasons and beyond:

1. Stronger last-mile collection & formalisation: Engage informal collectors with support, training, incentives, and fair prices.

2. Policy & Regulation that works: Enforce EPR, set clear targets; encourage standards and certification for refurbished goods; regulate packaging.

3. Consumer awareness: Encourage gifting refurbished electronics, choosing low-plastic or reusable décor, and returning old gadgets.

4. Infrastructure investments: More e-waste processing facilities, plastic recycling units, and refurbishing centres.

This Diwali, let's light lamps not only of joy but of responsible innovation. The glitter in rangoli, the sparkle in new tech, the shine in festive décor—they can all coexist with circularity. If we unlock just a fraction of India's e-waste and plastic waste, and rapidly scale refurbished electronics, what was discarded becomes the gold of tomorrow. That is not just green—it is golden.

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