E-Waste Project
Our e-waste project at CGAPP is dedicated to addressing the critical issue of electronic waste management in India. As the country ranks as the third-largest e-waste generator globally, producing over 3.23 million metric tonnes annually, there is an urgent need for effective and sustainable solutions. Our project aims to bridge the gap between informal and formal sectors in e-waste management, ensuring safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly practices. By bringing together national and international stakeholders, including the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and India Accelerator Impact Labs, we are fostering collaboration and innovation in e-waste processing. Our roadmap includes stakeholder identification, consultations with the informal sector, policy publications, and the launch of targeted cohort services. Through these efforts, we strive to enhance policy recommendations, improve stakeholder engagement, and create a robust ecosystem that supports sustainable e-waste management practices .
Ground visits
CGAPP in collaboration with International Telecommunication Union is navigating the E-waste landscape in India. As part of the research, ground visits were done to a few informal and formal processing sites in the Delhi-NCR region.
- Seelampur: The ground visit to Seelampur, provides first hand exposure to the intricate processes of the informal sector of E-waste. Acting as a key distributor hub, Seelampur receives dismantled electronics from areas like Mustafabad and utilizes a network of specialized shops and distributors to efficiently sort and process them. Notably, the visit revealed the sophisticated operation where specialized electronics are collected for export to China for reuse, while metal-containing components are extracted and directed to hubs like Moradabad to be reintegrated into the economy. Surprisingly, a portion of the extracted gold finds its way to places like Chandni Chowk, where it is repurposed for jewellery. This visit underscores the complexity and circularity of material flows in such informal economies, prompting further research into their dynamics.
- E(co)-work: E(co)works serves as a coworking facility tailored specifically for e-waste dismantlers, aiming to bridge the gap between the formal and informal sectors. Recognizing the differently organized structure of the informal sector, they provide regulatory, legal, and infrastructural support. By offering subsidised rent, equipment, and market linkages within a legal framework, they empower informal dismantlers while ensuring compliance with the latest E-waste management rules. This model not only incentivizes proper disposal but also fosters ownership of resources among dismantlers. However, continual agility and improvements will be essential for the long-term success of this model which offers a formalising opportunity to the informal dismantler.