Different Approach of Policies in E-Waste Management System: A Case Study of India in Comparison to Germany

Abstract

. With a total of 44.7 million tonnes of electronic waste (e-waste) produced worldwide in 2016, only approximately 20% of e-waste documented to be recycled in formal sectors. As many as 80% of undocumented e-waste which both informally recycled and piled up in landfill has huge side effects towards the health of societies and environment. Policies have contributed to be the guideline in implementing e-waste management system within the country. Thus, in this article India and Germany are chosen in order to compare the different policies existed in both country that result in different management of e-waste. India as the fourth country who generates most ewaste in the world produces 2 million e-waste in 2016. However, only 0.036 million tonnes of ewaste managed by India in 2016-2017. Whereas 95% of India e-waste is recycled informally. In other hand, Germany ranks in the fifth place of countries with most e-waste producer (1.9 million tonnes) successfully recycles their e-waste up to 39% in 2016. The method used in comparing these two conditions is a case study with data collected from various sources. As result, standards of equipment and recovery as well as recycling of e-waste have become the key differences in India policies in compared to Germany. This condition can be addressed by increasing the standards, increasing knowledge sharing, maximizing the output of e-waste management, stating clear sanctions to societies and companies. Besides, strengthening the implementation and monitoring of policies issued should become India’s strategy in achieving its e-waste management target.