Publication type: Academic Journal Article
The Information Technology revolution of the current times and the growing demand for newer technology are rapidly depleting the lifespan of electronics, thereby generating massive amounts of E-waste. This makes practices like urban mining essential to prevent countries from incurring economic loss due to unrecovered materials from E-waste. While most developed countries are adopting numerous policies in this regard, developing countries like India still face challenges in fully operationalizing such practices. Thus, it is crucial to understand the underlying issues from the perspectives of various stakeholders involved in it. This study is one such attempt, which focuses on the Information Technology companies and recyclers based in Hyderabad, India, to understand their E-waste management. By engaging with the concerned stakeholders through a primary survey, the study finds that both companies and recyclers are progressing towards the adoption of circular E-waste management practices. In most cases, the companies, dispose of their E-waste by selling it to dismantlers or sending it for refurbishment. The authorised recyclers, on the other hand, are employing urban mining procedures to extract metals and materials from E-waste for further use. However, both stakeholders opine that the prevalence of the informal sector and lack of awareness are barriers to E-waste urban mining. Thus, the study elucidates the need for innovative policies in this regard and subsidizing formal recycling, while also increasing consumer awareness to promote circular E-waste management. The research expands the discussion in this field by incorporating the perspectives of one of the bulk consumers of E-waste, i.e., Information Technology companies, and highlights the practices adopted, barriers, and drivers to safe E-waste management.
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