India is the world’s third-largest generator of e-waste, producing over 3.23 million metric tonnes annually. With rising electronic consumption and increasing waste generation, there is an urgent need for sustainable and environmentally responsible e-waste management systems.
CGAPP’s E-Waste Initiative focuses on bridging the gap between informal and formal recycling ecosystems through research, stakeholder engagement, policy dialogue, and ecosystem collaboration.
CGAPP’s E-Waste Initiative works towards building sustainable and inclusive approaches to electronic waste management in India. The initiative brings together national and international stakeholders, including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and India Accelerator Impact Labs, to encourage collaboration, innovation, and responsible e-waste processing practices.
By connecting policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, innovators, and recycling stakeholders, the initiative promotes practical solutions that strengthen responsible electronic waste management while supporting circular economy principles.
Promoting innovative and responsible waste-processing solutions for long-term environmental sustainability.
CGAPP, in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), conducted ground visits across informal and formal e-waste processing sites in the Delhi-NCR region to better understand India’s evolving e-waste ecosystem.
The ground visit to Seelampur provided first-hand exposure to the informal e-waste ecosystem and its complex material recovery networks. Acting as a major distribution hub, Seelampur receives dismantled electronics from nearby regions and processes them through specialised sorting and distribution systems.
The interaction highlighted the complexity, scale, and circularity of informal e-waste ecosystems and the need for deeper engagement and sustainable interventions.
The ground visit to Mustafabad provided first-hand exposure to one of Delhi’s major informal e-waste processing hubs, accounting for nearly 15% of the city’s informal e-waste handling units.
The visit highlighted the scale, complexity, and circularity of informal e-waste ecosystems while underlining the need for inclusive formalisation approaches and improved environmental compliance.
E(co)-Work operates as a coworking and support facility designed specifically for informal e-waste dismantlers, helping bridge the gap between informal workers and formal recycling systems.
The initiative represents an innovative approach towards formalising informal recycling ecosystems while improving sustainability, compliance, and long-term operational support.