Title: Current state of e-waste management in India

Authors: Pankaj R. Kaushik; Sunil Herat

Addresses: Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University (Nathan Campus), 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan QLD 4111, Australia ' Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University (Nathan Campus), 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan QLD 4111, Australia

Abstract: Electronic waste, or e-waste in common parlance, is increasingly becoming a cause of concern in developing countries like India, due to environmental and human health hazards associated with it. Ironically, constituents of e-waste can be valuable, at the same time being toxic. The practices involved in managing and treating the electronic waste in India have limitations that need to be identified and resolved. The waste management can be properly executed if there are proper collection and disposing methods adopted. This can be possible only if there is proper awareness related to the ill-effects of e-waste among common people. This paper highlights the status of e-waste in India and the various techniques used for recycling and their limitations. The indicators assessing e-waste can be utilised as basic parameters for analysis in any nation. The valuable constituents present in e-waste can be used in creating business opportunities if properly treated and recycled.

Keywords: e-waste; management; recycling; business opportunities; India.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2020.106293

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2020 Vol.25 No.3, pp.322 - 339

Received: 07 Jun 2018
Accepted: 04 Jan 2019
Published online: 02 Apr 2020 *

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