Title: Blockchain: a game changer in electronic waste management in India

Authors: Karishma Chaudhary; Prasanna Padmanabhan; Deepak Verma; Prashant Dev Yadav

Addresses: Army Institute of Management, Greater Noida, India ' PiChain Pvt. Ltd., 759/B, 5th Cross, 2nd Main, 3rd Stage, BEML Layout, R.R. Nagar, Bangalore-560098, India ' Electrosteel Pvt. Ltd., ESL Steel Ltd, Vill. Siyaljori, Post-Jogidih, O.P. Banagaria, PS-Chandankyari, Bokaro-828303, Jharkhand, India ' Symbiosis Centre for Management Studies, Symbiosis International University (Deemed University), Noida, India

Abstract: In 2016, 44.7 million metric tonnes of electronic waste (e-waste) was generated across the globe out of which only 20% was recycled through formal channels. India is the fifth largest generator of e-waste where 95% of e-waste is channelised to unorganised units. There are substantial environment and health risks associated with unsafe e-waste management practices. The study highlights various blockchain-based applications in the waste management domain. The study deals with the development of Ethereum-based smart contract blockchain architectural platform 'e-waste lens' for effective e-waste management in India. The specific novelty of the blockchain architectural framework lies in the real-time tracking and monitoring of e-waste movement by the concerned stakeholders in the e-waste management chain and thereby bringing out the non-compliance of the prevailing regulations for effective e-waste management.

Keywords: e-waste; e-waste lens; blockchain; smart contracts; Ethereum.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISM.2021.115680

International Journal of Integrated Supply Management, 2021 Vol.14 No.2, pp.167 - 182

Received: 28 Jan 2020
Accepted: 29 Jul 2020

Published online: 16 Jun 2021 *

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