India’s fast growing middle and upper classes are consuming electronic gadgets at an astounding rate. The replacement cycle has also decreased dramatically as growing disposable incomes means that laptops and mobile phones are being upgraded in short time periods.
However, unlike the US and Europe, India lacks the regulations for the safe disposal of massive amounts of the electronic waste. While a number of electronic waste companies in India have entered the sector lured by the growing potential, much more needs to be done for the industry to mature.
The government has come to realize the problem as the e-waste growth has increased by more than 500% in the last 7 years . Not only is e-waste growing internally, much of it is being imported from western countries which have more stringent regulations leading to waste dumping in India. New regulations which will make producers liable for the treatment of e-waste are going to be imposed next month.
