India stands at a critical juncture in its journey towards sustainable development. As one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, it faces the dual challenge of rapid technological advancement and the mounting environmental burden of electronic waste (e-waste). It is estimated that in FY 2024-25, India generated approximately 1.4 million metric tons of e-waste, a figure projected to increase exponentially as digital adoption accelerates. Yet, the country’s recycling infrastructure remains woefully inadequate. The infrastructure for managing e-waste is underdeveloped, and the transition to a circular economy remains incomplete. State intervention is therefore crucial to address these challenges and help India become a circular economy under Atmanirbhar Bharat.

The nascent state of e-waste infrastructure

Despite generating large quantities of e-waste annually, India’s recycling infrastructure is alarmingly underdeveloped. Currently, about 80% of e-waste is handled by the informal sector, where recyclers often lack the technology and expertise to process complex materials safely, leading to environmental degradation and health risks for the workers and nearby communities. This is because formal recyclers face significant barriers, including limited access to capital and inconsistent regulatory enforcement. The small-scale e-waste recyclers, who make up the majority of authorised recyclers, struggle to scale up operations or adopt advanced recycling........

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