Dr. Sanjay Joshi

E-waste is not rubbish; it is a valuable resource waiting to be recovered. Continuing from last week’s article, let us consider a practical question: how do we find an authorised collection centre or registered e-waste recycler? With our busy schedules, locating a facility and transporting a bulky appliance can be inconvenient. The simplest first step is to contact the manufacturer or brand you purchased the appliance from. Many producers offer take-back or collection arrangements for...

If a company makes and sells an electronic product, it should also take responsibility for what happens to that product when it becomes waste. As we have seen, electronic waste is not just about discarded phones, computers and other devices. It is also about what happens to them after they are thrown away and the environmental and health risks that can arise when they are not handled properly. Over the years, India has introduced rules to bring some order to the way e-waste is collected,...

The challenge is not to push the informal sector aside, but to make it safer, more organised and environmentally responsible. Continuing from last week’s article, the informal sector cannot simply be viewed as part of the problem. It also plays a major role in collecting and recovering discarded electronics. Repair shops, used-product dealers and vendors operating through e-commerce platforms channel significant amounts of discarded electronics back into the economy. Devices may be repaired...