The Role of E-Waste Management in India Achieving the SDGs

By : Neeta Saxena

Page No: 281-289

Abstract
India is galloping fast towards achieving development goals in all areas, leading to dangers arising from development plans. Large scale generation of “electronic waste” (hereafter referred to as e-waste), with the lack of effective and efficient methods to dispose of it, is among the bigger threats. Lifestyle changes in India have been a huge contributor in generating nearly 3 million tons of e-waste annually, making India the third largest producer of e-waste in the world after China and the US. However, the more serious matter of concern is the fact that less than 2 percent of its e-waste produced annually is recycled in the country, against the global figure of 20 percent. Further, given its harmful impact on both human and environmental health because of the lack of adequate and effective management, along with the possibilities and greater opportunities of producing recycled metals such as iron, steel, plastics, and other non-ferrous metals, the need of the hour is that significant policies and strategies should be framed, followed by strict implementation. India’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 (namely, targets 3, 8, 11, 12, and 17) will directly or indirectly depend on India’s management of e-waste in the upcoming years. This study focuses on the importance of e-waste management in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and also to suggest some strategies for adequate e-waste management in the future.

Author :
Neeta Saxena
Associate Professor, SAGE University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/PROD.2022.63.03.4