Government To Set Up E-Waste Plant In Uttarakhand With Indigenous Technology: Here's Why It Matters

In a bid to tackle India's mounting electronic waste (e-waste) crisis, the Technology Development Board (TDB) has forged a pioneering partnership with Remine India, a startup specialising in sustainable solutions. Together, they are set to establish a cutting-edge commercial plant dedicated to recycling lithium-ion batteries and e-waste in the state of Uttarakhand.

This landmark initiative, supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, is poised to receive Rs 7.5 crore in financial backing from TDB, with the total project cost estimated at Rs 15 crore.

TDB Secretary Rajesh Kumar Pathak emphasised that supporting this initiative is crucial for fostering a circular economy, wherein informal recyclers can integrate with formal recyclers to mitigate the e-waste crisis.

Key Project Details:

Location: The state-of-the-art recycling facility will be strategically located at Eldeco, situated within the SIIDCUL Industrial Area in Sitarganj, Udham Singh Nagar district, Uttarakhand.

Indigenous Technology: Leveraging cutting-edge technology developed by the centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (CMET), the plant will implement efficient and eco-friendly recycling processes.

Market Projections: The lithium-ion battery recycling market is forecasted to witness substantial growth, reaching an estimated value of $14.89 billion by 2030, with a remarkable Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 21.6 per cent. Despite this optimistic outlook, only a mere 5 per cent of lithium-ion batteries undergo recycling, with the majority ending up in landfills.

Why it Matters

Electronic waste (e-waste) is the fastest growing solid waste stream in the world, increasing 3 times faster than the world’s population. It is rapidly becoming a significant waste stream in India due to the growth of the Information and Communication Technology sector (ICT). Less than a quarter of e-waste produced globally in 2019 was known to be formally recycled.

E-waste is not inherently hazardous if managed properly through safe storage, scientific recycling methods, or formal sector transportation. However, recycling e-waste using primitive methods can render it hazardous. E-waste typically contains various substances like heavy metals, plastics, and glass, which can pose environmental and health risks if not handled properly.

Currently, e-waste is growing in India at a rate of 10 per cent annually, with a majority of recycling done in the informal sector using hazardous methods. India ranks third globally in e-waste generation, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable solutions to manage electronic waste, as per the Economic Times report.

The proliferation of lithium-ion batteries across various industries, including electronics, electric vehicles, and renewable energy storage, has also led to a significant surge in e-waste.

Recycling e-waste in the informal sector using primitive methods can pose significant environmental and economic challenges. By promoting efficient and sustainable recycling practices, the project aims to mitigate these concerns and foster a more structured approach to e-waste management.

Through the adoption of indigenous technology and substantial financial support, the establishment of the formal recycling plant holds promise in contributing to a circular economy while mitigating the adverse effects of electronic waste on the environment and economy alike.