How Smart E-waste Management Strengthens Conservation Goals

Electronics have become an indispensable part of the modern world, where digitalisation and technology continue to shape every aspect of our lives. From morning to night, we rely on numerous electronics such as refrigerators, cell phones, laptops, and batteries, each one designed for a specific function to make our lives efficient and convenient. While it is true that these gadgets power the modern lifestyle, at the end of their lifecycles, most of these end up in the same destination: the landfill. 

The rising burden of electronic waste 
Electronic or e-waste is considered to be one of the fastest-growing solid waste streams worldwide. The United Nations’ Global E-waste Monitor (GEM) report suggests that an estimated 62 million tonnes of e-waste were produced globally in 2022, and this figure is expected to reach the 82 million tonnes mark by 2030. These electronics, casually tossed aside at the end of the lifecycle, are a source of billions of dollars’ worth of valuable resources – all squandered and left in the open, causing irreparable damage to the environment and lives. The same report by the UN suggests that less than a quarter of the e-waste produced globally in 2022 was known to be formally recycled. 

Recycling e-waste to minimise dependency on raw materials 
The foundation of smart e-waste management lies in the recovery of valuable resources from discarded e-waste. Electronics are made of a wealth of valuable materials, including precious metals like gold, silver, and copper, as well as rare earth elements such as neodymium, dysprosium, and yttrium. Systemic recovery, recycling, and reuse of these materials can reduce the dependency on virgin raw materials required for the production of new electronic devices, eventually minimising the need for mining and conserving natural resources.

In addition to valuable resources, e-waste also contains hazardous substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium, which pollute the environment and pose a health risk when discarded irresponsibly. Recycling them also prevents environmental contamination and human health. 

Building a circular economy to maximise resource efficiency 
Currently, the way we produce, consume, and dispose of e-waste is unsustainable. It mostly follows the traditional linear "take-make-dispose" model. Recycling e-waste would be a significant step towards building a circular economy, focused on keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible. A circular system of economy helps lower greenhouse gas emissions, fosters innovation and promotes sustainable economic growth. Integrated with digital technologies, a circular economy enables smarter tracking and efficient recycling of e-waste.

Current scenario of e-waste management in India 
India is the world’s third-largest generator of e-waste, with an estimated 3.8 million tonnes of e-waste produced in 2024. The 100% surge in e-waste generation witnessed over the past decade is fuelled by increased urbanisation, disposable income, and rapid tech adoption. To address the mounting challenge, the government introduced the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016, with a focus on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to streamline e-waste collection and promote formal recycling infrastructure.

India’s current formal system has 595 authorised dismantlers and recyclers. With increased efforts by the government, this number is expected to grow, further formalising e-waste collection and recycling. Municipal bodies and private players are also experimenting with app-based systems to channelise collection and are encouraging public participation in responsible e-waste disposal to meet global sustainability goals.

World Nature Conservation Day is a reminder to take a step back and evaluate our choices and their long-term impact on biodiversity and mitigate climate change. It is about making conscious choices to separate waste and take active measures to recycle it for the greater good. Conserving nature is a shared responsibility, and we all need to collectively take part in it.

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