HYDERABAD: Telangana has approved 21 e-waste recyclers and two refurbishers with a combined capacity of over 3.6 lakh tonnes per annum (TPA). Yet in 2023–24, only 64,635.56 tonnes were formally collected via the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) portal, data from the Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TGPCB) revealed.
Of this, 24,497.67 metric tonnes of recoverable metals like iron, copper, aluminium and gold were extracted, while another 24,433.03 MT was classified as miscellaneous waste. The wide gap between processing capacity and actual inflow reflects systemic issues: underreporting, poor enforcement and the dominance of informal recycling networks.
“Our data doesn’t match what’s happening on the ground,” said Asha Reddy, an environmental science researcher. “We need stringent audits, not just registrations.”
National figures echo the pattern. In 2021–22, India’s 567 authorised dismantlers across 22 states had a combined capacity of over 17 lakh TPA, but processed just 5.27 lakh tonnes. Telangana led the formal collection effort, processing 42,297.68 tonnes, well ahead of Maharashtra (18,559 tonnes) and Delhi (2,130.79 tonnes). The state also ranks third in plastic e-waste generation, contributing 12.68% to the national total, behind Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
‘Awareness is needed’
Yet, most e-waste still flows through informal routes. A senior TGPCB official admitted that despite existing infrastructure, collection remains poor. “Bulk generators like offices often don’t know where to dispose of old electronics. We need visible, accessible collection drives and doorstep pickup.”
While both public and private awareness campaigns are underway, enforcement remains patchy. The E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, mandate registration of all stakeholders on the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) portal and require environmental clearances. Telangana’s own 2017 policy aimed to decentralise collection, offer performance-linked incentives and enforce safety norms via initiatives like Green Warriors.
But the impact on the ground is limited. “Without penalties and real incentives, the informal sector will continue to thrive,” said Asha. “The human cost, especially to workers and children exposed to hazardous dismantling, is far too high to ignore.”
Only 18%
of the Telangana’s total capacity (3,52,680.35 tonnes per annum (TPA) in 21 e-waste recyclers and 7,700 TPA in two refurbishers) is utilised. Experts point out that most of the e-waste in the state and across the country still flows through informal routes