HYDERABAD: The amount of electronic waste generated in the city has increased significantly over the past five years. Data from the Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TGPCB) reveals that the city produced 33,425 metric tonnes of e-waste in 2017-18, rising to 50,835 metric tonnes by 2021-22. This growth has prompted concern among public health and environmental experts.
E-waste includes discarded devices such as phones, laptops, televisions, printers, refrigerators, and cables. These items contain substances like lead, mercury, cadmium, and chromium, which, if improperly disposed of, can contaminate air, water, and soil. Health officials warn that such contamination can cause respiratory illnesses, neurological damage, and chronic diseases.
Dr G Srinivas Rao, director of the Public Health department, told TNIE, “There is an increased risk to children and elderly people. There is a need for better enforcement of e-waste regulations,” and urged residents to dispose of old electronics at authorised collection centres.
Currently, Telangana has 21 certified e-waste recyclers and two refurbishers with a combined capacity of 3.6 tonnes per annum (TPAtpa). Despite this capacity, only a small portion of the city’s e-waste is processed by authorised facilities.
Environmental researcher Meera Khatun, from the Centre for Sustainable Urban Development, points out that most e-waste in Hyderabad is either sent to landfills or handled by informal workers in unsafe conditions. Vikram Naik, a Hyderabad-based waste policy expert, adds that illegal dismantling in peri-urban areas pollutes water sources and endangers waste pickers.
Dr Anusha Reddy, a conservation scientist, notes that many are unaware of the risks — explaining that even a single discarded battery can pollute thousands of litres of water. Experts warn that unless action is taken, growing e-waste could result in a public health and ecological crisis.
Nationally, over 14,000 PIBOs have been issued notices for not meeting waste collection targets, showing the challenges in enforcement and compliance. The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change expanded the EP R framework in 2022 to include tyres, batteries, e-waste, used oil, and construction waste. This approach aims to ensure manufacturers and importers are responsible for the post-consumer stage of their products, making it a key part of India’s waste reduction strategy.