Electronic garbage, or “e-waste,” which includes outdated or discarded electronic appliances, has increased in tandem with the exponential expansion in the use of electronic devices. Lead, mercury, and brominated flame retardants are among the dangerous materials found in e-waste that can leak into the environment and pollute the soil, water and air while also posing major health concerns to people and wildlife.
At almost 2 million metric tons per year, India is currently the world’s third-largest producer of electronic garbage, or “e-waste.” Computer machines produce the majority of this waste, followed by telephones and other electronic equipment. Significant geographic differences were highlighted by the approximately 150% increase in e-waste volumes during the six-year period (2017–2024), with the majority of the waste concentrated in about 65 urban areas and 10 states.
Only a small portion of e-waste is collected and recovered by the formal sector, regardless of current legislation. The informal recycling sector in India, which manages more than 95% of e- waste using crude techniques that emit harmful chemicals, makes the e-waste situation worse.
This paper highlights the present scenario of e-waste in various parts of India in comparison to world while highlighting the challenges.
In the end this paper also offers various sustainable strategies aligned with circular economy principles to enhance resource efficiency and practice the sustainable development strategies.