White Paper on National EPR Framework for E-Waste Management in India

The project aims towards Setting Up Innovative Value Chain for E-waste Management to channelize e-waste for formal recycling with the involvement of the informal sector.

The specific objectives of the project are as follows:

• To draft a white paper on National EPR framework for e-waste management by incorporating inputs from different relevant stakeholders through interviews/surveys/focus group discussions.
• To provide recommendations for sustainable e-waste management and promotion of circular economy in e-waste management.
• To conduct a national workshop on the draft white paper and incorporate the expert inputs from the workshop into the final white paper on the National EPR framework for e-waste management.

National Level Workshop for Extended Producer Responsibility Framework for E-waste Management in India

Authors: Mehar Kaur, Shweta Gautam, Abdullah Atiq

Editors: Jai Kumar Gaurav, Meghana Kshirsagar, Vaibhav Rathi, Divya Bawa, Nidhin Davis K

Advisor: Dr. Suneel Pandey, Dr. Shilpi Kapur

E-waste management policy, rules, and regulations are evolving in India with the aim to institute a robust take-back, recycling, and recovery system through effective implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Although EPR is mandated under the E-Waste Management Rules 2016, its collection and recycling process is not regulated or formalized because of which very little has been achieved on ground. Moreover, the current EPR structure places full responsibility of E-waste management on producers without much emphasis on the role of other key stakeholders along the E-waste value chain. Moving forward, to prevent leakages from the current E-waste management value chain, the EPR policy needs to be strengthened. A robust EPR policy framework will encompass learnings from best practices globally, integrate key stakeholders through a shared responsibility structure, and will be dynamic in nature allowing for a feedback mechanism based on review of performance metrics and inputs from key experts along the value chain for effective national level implementation.

In this regard, TERI with the support of Reverse Logistics Group (RLG)India, part of Munich-headquartered and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH under DPPP program of the Federal Ministry of Economic Co-operation and Development (BMZ), Government of Germany has undertaken a study to come out with a White Paper on National EPR framework for E-waste Management in India with the aim to present an updated circular and shared responsibility roadmap. The White Paper is based on inputs from consultations with key stakeholders along the E-waste value chain including bulk waste generators, brand owners, PROs, civil society organizations, dismantlers and recyclers, and policy makers in the relevant ministries. The objective of the white paper is to provide recommendations for shared responsibility and policy advisory for end-of-life management of WEEE and promotion of resource efficiency and circular economy along the E-waste value chain. The output of this white paper can be used to strengthen policy for E-waste management and its local level implementation. The Executive Summary for the white paper can be accessed here.

For dissemination and to further refine the shared responsibility framework developed, TERI is now organizing a national level workshop with key stakeholders from ministries as well as brand owners for enabling implementation of the E-waste management EPR framework in India. The objective of the workshop will be to disseminate key findings and recommendations and promotion of circular economy in E-waste management. The workshop is also intended to serve as a platform to further incorporate inputs from experts into the final white paper on the National EPR framework for e-waste management.

The details of national workshop will be shared soon. Stay Tuned!

National Level Workshop on White Paper on National Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Framework for E-waste Management in India

TERI with the support of Reverse Logistics Group (RLG)India, part of Munich-headquartered and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH under DPPP program of the Federal Ministry of Economic Co-operation and Development (BMZ), Government of Germany organised a National Level Workshop on White Paper on National Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Framework for E-waste Management in India on 26th April 2022 to disseminate the findings of the white paper which provided recommendations for shared responsibility and policy advisory for end-of-life management of WEEE and promotion of resource efficiency and circular economy along the e-waste value chain.

The workshop included key stakeholders from Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY) as well as brand owners, PRO’s, research organisations and recyclers for an enabling environment of the E-waste management EPR framework in India. At the national level workshop, the current e-waste management scenario was discussed along with the role of the Producer Responsibility Organisations (PRO’s) and further deliberated on the gaps in the current e-waste management value chain and possible areas of intervention to develop a robust nation-wide e-waste management system in the country.

Some of the key points highlighted during the course of workshop are mentioned below:

• The regulatory role of the state pollution control boards and central pollution control board are critical to ensure effective and stringent monitoring to enforce compliance with the standards specified for collection centres, dismantlers and recyclers.
• Strengthening and expanding the role of consumers and bulk consumers for effective implementation of EPR through financial modelling mechanism such as providing incentives to consumers by giving credit points on return of old products.
• There should be a transparency in the data for formalized e-waste collection.
• Capacity building and awareness generation targeting specific consumers associated with the measurable behaviour change is required for effective implementation of EPR.

The complete report with incorporating suggestions from the stakeholders can be accessed here