What is E-waste?

Electronic waste, or e-waste, is a term for electronic products that are unwanted, non-working, or obsolete and have reached the end of their useful life.

As per E-waste Rule 2016, e-waste is defined as electrical and electronic equipment, whole or in part discarded as waste by the consumer or bulk consumer, as well as rejects from manufacturing, refurbishment, and repair processes.

E-waste contains many valuable, recoverable materials such as aluminum, copper, gold, silver, plastics, and ferrous metals. To conserve both natural resources and the energy needed to produce new hardware from virgin resources, electronic equipment can be refurbished, reused, and recycled instead of being sent to a landfill.

E-waste also contains toxic and hazardous materials, including mercury, lead, cadmium, beryllium, chromium, and chemical flame retardants. All of which have the potential to leach into our soil and water.

Instead of keeping old electronics in the house or dumping them in landfills, recycling or reusing them is an appropriate option that should be supported by individuals and organizations. Considering the benefits of electronics recycling, it is very important that people around the world embrace this concept.

What are the Benefits of E-waste Recycling

Conserves Natural Resources

Many materials can be recovered from old electronics. These materials can be used to make new products, thus reducing the need to mine for new raw materials. For instance, various metals can be recovered from computer circuit boards and other electronics, and the plastics and glass found in computer monitors and televisions can be recycled.

Supports the Community

Donating your old electronics plays an important role in the provision of refurbished products, such as computers and mobile phones, which can be of great help to low-income families, schools, and not-for-profit organizations. It also helps individuals gain access to technology that they could not have otherwise afforded.

Creates Employment Locally

Considering that around 90% of electronic equipment is recyclable, electronics recycling can play a significant role in creating employment. The increase in demand for electronics recycling can trigger the formation of new businesses, as well as allow existing firms to employ more people to recover recyclable material.

E-waste recycling creates new jobs for professional recyclers and creates a second market for the recycled materials.

Helps Protect Public Health and the Environment

Many electronics have toxic or hazardous materials, such as mercury and lead, which can be harmful to the environment if disposed of improperly. Reusing and recycling electronics safely helps keep hazardous materials from harming humans or the environment. For example, televisions and computer monitors are hazardous as they contain lead. Printed circuit boards contain harmful materials such as cadmium, lead, mercury, and chromium. And the list goes on.

Collection Mechanism of E-waste

TecEx has partnered with the E-Waste Recyclers India (EWRI) for the collection of e-waste on a pan-India basis and disposes of the waste at EWRI’s plant, located at Shed No.15, Roz ka Meo Industrial Area, Nuh, Haryana, India.

EWRI has engaged with reverse logistics service provider Professional Logistics Limited for the collection of e-waste.

Customers can place their request on the toll-free number 1800-102-5679. The customer may either:

  • Sell their old electronic products under the TecEx  buy-back scheme, or
  • Our representatives will explain the disposal process to the customer and make them aware of the nearest drop-off point available to hand over the e-waste.
  • If the customer wants to hand over the e-waste from their doorstep/designated location, EWRI/Professional Logistics Limited will collect the items and channel them to EWRI’s plant for final processing.

Find out more about our IOR services into India.

What to Consider for Extended Producer Responsibility

EPR Dos for customers

  • Always look for information in the product’s catalog for instructions on proper disposal.
  • Ensure that only authorized recyclers/dismantlers handle your old electronic products.
  • Always call our toll-free number to dispose of products, batteries, and accessories that have reached their end of life.
  • Always disconnect the battery from the product and ensure any glass surface is protected against breakage.

EPR Don’ts for customers

  • Do not dismantle your electronic products on your own.
  • Do not throw electronics with ‘Do Not Dispose‘ signs in garbage bins.
  • Do not give e-waste to informal and unorganized sectors like local scrap dealers/rag pickers.
  • Do not dispose of your product in garbage bins along with municipal waste that ultimately reaches landfills.