Abstract

With the advancement in the technology and the purchasing power of the consumer, the electronic products are also increasing exponentially day by day. The increase in the consumption impacts the environment negatively in both ways first the Raw Materials extraction and second the most important one is the waste (E-Waste or Waste of Electronic and Electrical Equipment). Waste is anything that is useless or can't be used. Everyone is responsible for making sure that hazardous garbage is disposed of in a way that is safe and good for the earth and follows all rules about how to get rid of trash. At a rate of 20–25% per year, the amount of e-waste is growing very quickly . There are several definitions of e-waste; E-waste is a discarded electronic item which is nearing or at the end of their ‘useful life’ . E-waste is the trash stream that is growing the fastest due to its high rate of obsolescence, market spread, and new market. In India, Section 3 (l) of the E-Waste Management Rules 2016 defines e-waste as “'e-waste' means electrical and electronic equipment, including solar photo-voltaic modules or panels or cells, whole or in part discarded as waste, as well as rejects from manufacturing, refurbishment and repair processes” . Since 2002, when the Basel Convention and the "European Union Waste of Electronic and Electrical Equipment Directive" were passed, people have become more aware of e-waste. The problem with e-waste is that its amount grows every year because more people use electronics and they don't last as long. E-waste is thought to be the type of trash that has grown the most over the past 10 years (3–4% per year), but only 15% of it is recovered . E-waste is getting more and more of a problem as more and more of it is made. This is because it includes dangerous chemicals that could affect health and the environment. The effective handling and disposal of electronic waste (e-waste) in India is a significant environmental concern, mirroring the global scenario. This study undertakes an examination of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) as a policy strategy within the environmental legislative framework of India in order to tackle this problem. The importance of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in ensuring producer accountability for the whole lifespan of their goods is of great relevance, particularly in light of the increasing proliferation of electronic trash (e-waste) . The objective of this research is to provide insights on the efficacy of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in addressing the issue of electronic trash (e-waste) within the regulatory framework of India. This study analyses the progression of e-waste rules, explores the difficulties faced during their implementation, assesses their environmental impact, and provides suggestions to improve their effectiveness.

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