India’s e-waste management initiative: A step toward sustainability

India has launched a USD 120 million initiative to tackle e-waste management through a circular economy approach in its electronics sector, supported by the Global Environment Facility and United Nations Development Programme in partnership with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

The five-year e-waste management project aims to address unsafe recycling practices in the world’s third-largest generator of electronic waste, where more than 80% of discarded electronics are processed informally using methods that release toxic chemicals.

“The project comes at an important time when the Indian electronics sector is seeing rapid growth and development,” said S. Krishnan, Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

“The initiative will help us drive innovation in eco-design, recycling and circular business models.” The GEF approved USD 15 million in financing, unlocking over USD 105 million in co-financing from the Government of India and industry stakeholders for comprehensive e-waste management reforms.

Addressing Informal Sector Risks

Formal recycling infrastructure remains limited in India, exposing workers and communities to serious health risks from hazardous materials including mercury, lead, cadmium and persistent organic pollutants that do not break down easily.

“Environmental and health risks from unsafe e-waste recycling practices are rising,” said Angela Lusigi, UNDP Resident Representative in India. “We are working with government and industry partners to ensure resources are used efficiently, workers are protected, and the sector grows sustainably.”

The e-waste management initiative will strengthen institutional mechanisms and enforcement of regulations, support innovation in eco-design with manufacturers, pilot safe recycling and battery management systems, and improve infrastructure for valuable material recovery.

A Global E-Waste Challenge

Electronic waste now exceeds 60 million tonnes globally each year, growing five times faster than recycling rates, according to UNDP data.

“This flood of discarded devices contains toxic chemicals which cause long-term damage to ecosystems and people’s health,” said Xiaofang Zhou, UNDP Chemicals and Waste Hub Director. “Addressing e-waste is central to building the circular economy we need for a healthier planet.”

Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, GEF Chief Executive Officer, said the project could serve as a model demonstrating how toxic chemicals can be designed out of production and safely managed when products are discarded.

Project Scope and Impact

The e-waste management project will build India’s capacity to advance objectives of the National Policy on Electronics and implement E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022.

“This project will strengthen Extended Producer Responsibility and Resource Efficiency to meet critical minerals requirement of the Electronics Sector,” said Amitesh Kumar Sinha, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

The initiative will strengthen collection and recycling systems, pilot eco-design and valuable material extraction technologies, test replacement-rebate business models, and implement gender-responsive schemes for upgrading the informal sector.

The project expects to benefit 6,400 people directly while preventing release of 8,000 tonnes of toxic heavy metals, eliminating 25 tonnes of hazardous flame retardants, and cutting 600,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions.

India’s electronics market is expanding rapidly, making effective e-waste management critical for sustainable growth and protecting public health and the environment from hazardous recycling practices.