NEWS

India currently produces about one million metric tonnes of e-electronic waste a year, but only a five per cent of it finds its way to the organised recycling industry.

Though there is an established capacity of 2,00,000 metric tonnes in the country, the recycling companies in the organised sector are able to recycle only about 50,000 tonnes. The industry is seeing a 30 per cent CAGR, according to Electrical Recyclers Association president BK Soni.

According to him, there is no seriousness in taking up recycling, mainly due to the absence of penalty clauses at multiple levels — electronic waste generators or producers.

The information technology sector was the largest source of e-waste, he said, adding that a large number of components could be put to reuse effectively.

“There is a lot of opportunity in the organised e-waste recycling segment,� Soni said, adding that the current capacity could handle a lot more as utilization levels were at 25 per cent. However, he said there was a gradual shift away from the unorganised to organised sector.

“Definite recycling targets have to be set and monitored,� said Soni, also chairman and managing director of BSE-listed recycling company Eco Recycling. He was here in connection with an e-waste industry event. In rupee terms, the e-waste could be valued at more than Rs 6,000 crore, he added.

Soni said his company was setting up a 12,000 tonne per annum-capacity plant in Mumbai exclusively for white goods. This will be ready in a few months and is now accessing the waste material from across the country.