Only 33% of e-waste in India processed in FY22: Report

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board, India has processed only 33% of the e-waste generated during 2021-22. Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change Ashwini Kumar Choubey presented the data in the Lok Sabha in response to a question raised in the House.

"An action plan is in place for enforcement of E-Waste (Management) Rules across the country. This action plan contains component on mass awareness of the general public through Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Plan to be framed by State Governments,” said Choubey.

As per the data, India generated 16.01 lakh tonnes of e-waste in 2021-22. Out of which, only 5.27 lakh tonnes was collected and processed. India currently has 567 e-waste processing facilities with a total capacity of around 17.23 lakh tonnes annually. Among these, 208 are recycling facilities with a total installed recycling capacity of 10.69 lakh tonnes annually.

The data also mentioned the states that collected and processed the most amount of e-waste during the year 2021-22. Haryana topped the list by collecting and processing 2.45 lakh tonnes of e-waste. Uttarakhand came second in the list collecting and processing 51,541 tonnes of e-waste, followed by Telangana which processed 42,298 tonnes.

In the global arena, India ranks 3rd among the biggest generators of e-waste, as of 2019. However, e-waste generated per capita in the country remains low. China generates the most amount of e-waste in the world but the country still ranks lower when it comes to per-capita waste generated.