Electronic waste management in Northern India: a regional case study of Chandigarh

Abstract

India, as one of the world’s largest generators of electronic waste (e-waste), grapples with significant challenges in efficiently managing it, notably in emerging IT cities. In the city of Chandigarh, a substantial amount of e-waste is generated annually, of which informal collectors handle the majority with hazardous methods, perpetuating environmental and health risks. This case study aims at analysing and understanding the complex e-waste ecosystem on the urban level of Chandigarh for identifying potential challenges and deriving measures to further enhance closed resource cycles. Therefore, this study assesses the relevant literature in the field of e-waste management as a basis for conducting semi-structured interviews with involved stakeholders in Chandigarh. It reveals deficiencies in Extended Producer Responsibility policy enforcement, the informal sector's dominance in Chandigarh's e-waste ecosystem, and widespread circulation of counterfeit e-waste certificates. The study proposes mitigation measures to address these issues by highlighting the benefits of collaboration between the formal and informal sectors, promoting responsible recycling practices, and improving the status of the marginalized informal workers. This study contributes to the theoretical understanding of urban e-waste management systems in emerging economies by analysing the complex interplay of involved stakeholders offering insights into scalable solutions for other under-explored urban contexts.