Towards Inclusive E-Waste Management: Linking Informal and Formal Systems

Abstract. In the context of rapid urbanization and increasing technological adoption, the generation of electronic waste (e-waste) has become a pressing environmental and public health challenge. Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is among the most hazardous forms of solid waste, requiring specialized management and disposal mechanisms. In India, however, only 3% of total e- waste is processed through authorized recycling facilities, with the vast majority handled by the informal sector in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. Informal e-waste recycling practices—such as open dismantling, lack of protective gear, and burning of non-recyclable materials—pose severe health risks and contribute significantly to environmental degradation. 

Despite these risks, the informal sector plays a crucial socio-economic role by providing livelihoods to thousands and indirectly supporting formal municipal waste systems. Recognizing this, the study explores the existing dynamics of e-waste management in India, focusing on the roles, challenges, and interdependencies between the formal and informal sectors. Primary field surveys conducted among consumers, informal workers, and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) provide insights into awareness levels and current disposal behaviors.

The study further highlights how geospatial technologies can act as a bridge between the informal and formal systems of e-waste management. Spatial analysis using enterprise-GIS techniques was employed to map e-waste generation patterns, reveal one-to- many and many-to-many relationships in waste flows, and identify optimal locations for formal recycling facilities. The integration of geospatial tools offers a strategic approach to planning, monitoring, and improving coordination between sectors, enhancing both environmental sustainability and economic efficiency in e-waste management.