Establishing E-Waste channels in order to enhance environment friendly recycling

India's e-waste sector faces several challenges: difficulties in coping with the sheer quantity of e-waste, the lack of adequate technology for certain recycling processes, and legal gaps and lax enforcement in the recycling and disposal sector. Recent studies show that only 6 per cent of the annual e-waste is being recycled, of which 95 per cent is recycled through the informal sector.

The E-Waste Channel project, a follow-up of the IeWASTE project, aimed to increase e-waste recycling efficiency. Focusing on Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata and Pune adelphi supported the establishment of business associations amongst informal SMEs. Further specific project objectives were to improve the cooperation between the informal and formal sector, reduce  environmental impacts, and to improve workers' health and safety conditions.