Linking the formal and informal E-waste sector with the help of a WTP-WTA study
Student name: Mr Pranav Mayekar
Guide: Dr Shantanu De Roy
Year of completion: 2018
Host Organisation: TERI School of Advanced Studies
Abstract: E-waste is the fastest growing stream of waste and will continue to do so in the near future. However, most of it is recycled in the informal sector with primitive techniques which cause harm to environment and affect the health of citizens. However, the low cost of operations in the informal sector leads to domestic e-waste being recycled in the informal sector and also there being imports of e-waste.
This thesis investigates the reasons for majority of e-waste being recycled in the informal sector in India. Despite regulations which put the formal sector in the forefront of e-waste management, formalization has not taken place. Hence, the thesis looks in the reasons why the informal sector thrives. However, such an analysis cannot be complete without analysing the relationships between the various players in the informal e-waste market. The thesis also analyses the formal sector market and studies why it fails to compete with the informal sector. The cost difference between the formal and informal sector is found to be around Rs. 400 per computer which is the cost of subsidy either to be bridged via government subsidy or charging the consumers.
