Generation of e-waste has been increased over the past years and is increasing day by day due to increased usage of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) by the consumers. E-waste generation is direct result of economic growth and technological advancements.

Ministry has comprehensively revised the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 and notified the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 in November, 2022 and the same is in force since 1^st April, 2023. The objective of the said rules is to take all steps required to ensure that e-waste is managed in a manner which shall protect health and environment against any adverse effects, which may result from such e-waste.

These new rules intend to manage e-waste in an environmentally sound manner and put in place an improved Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime for e-waste recycling wherein all the manufacturer, producer, refurbisher and recycler are required to register on portal developed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The new provisions would facilitate and channelize the informal sector to formal sector for doing business and ensure recycling of e-waste in environmentally sound manner. Provisions for environmental compensation and verification & audit have also been introduced. These rules also promote Circular Economy through EPR regime and scientific recycling/disposal of the e-waste.

Currently there are 322 nos. of recyclers and 72 nos. of refurbishers registered with CPCB to cater the services for recycling / refurbishing of generated e-waste. The reported processing capacity of 322 registered recyclers as on 09.02.2025 is 22,08,918.064 MT per annum and processing capacity of 72 registered refurbishers is 92,042.18 MT per annum. Further, CPCB has taken following steps for effective management of E-Waste Rules as under:

1. An online EPR E-Waste portal has been developed by CPCB where entities such as producers, manufacturers, recyclers, and refurbishers of the e-waste are required to be registered.
2. CPCB has developed guidelines for the scientific and environmentally sound management of e-waste. The guidelines details procedures and facilities in terms of machineries and pollution control devices required for the recycling of e-waste in environmentally sound manner.
3. An action plan for implementation of E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 is in place and the same is being implemented by all State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) in their respective States/UTs. SPCBs/PCCs are submitting quarterly progress report. The action plan has action point for checking informal e-waste activities and has asked SPCBs/PCCs to carry out regular drives for checking informal e-waste activities.
4. Under Rule 10(1) of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, State Government has been entrusted with the responsibility to ensure earmarking or allocation of industrial space or shed for e-waste dismantling and recycling in the existing and upcoming industrial park, estate and industrial clusters
5. CPCB issued following Directions to SPCBs/PCCs for effective implementation of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022:
   1. Directions dated 06.09.2022 under Section 18 (1) (b) of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 regarding checking informal e-waste activities, verification of authorized dismantlers/recyclers of e-waste and drives for mass awareness.
   2. Directions dated 30.01.2024 under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 regarding registration of producers, manufacturers, recyclers and refurbishers on the Online E-Waste EPR Portal.
   3. Directions dated 14.02.2024 under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for ensuring generation of EPR Certificates by e-waste recyclers towards fulfilment of Producers EPR obligations for the FY 2023-24.

This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE, SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

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VM

(Rajya Sabha US Q1006)