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Analysis of waste management from electronics in Nehru Place, Delhi, and Sadar Bazaar, Gurgaon reveals the significant role of informal sectors in resource recovery. These sectors, while essential for recycling, pose severe environmental and health risks due to inefficient and hazardous methods. Elevated levels of heavy metals in soil and water in areas like Loni and Mandoli, linked to informal e-waste processing, underscore the detrimental impact on environmental quality and public health.
Quantification of e-waste and associated emissions highlights the potential for significant reductions in CO2 emissions through formal recycling practices. Formal recycling could reduce approximately 8.554374 Yearly emissions measured in metric tons of CO2 equivalent in Nehru Place, Delhi, and 3.286322 metric tons in Sadar Bazaar, contributing to climate action goals. In contrast, informal disposal methods like landfilling and incineration significantly increase CO2 emissions, exacerbating environmental degradation and climate change.
The study emphasizes the requirement for better e-waste management systems and practices that mitigate these environmental impacts. Key advancements include the recognition of sustainable consumption patterns and the benefits of formal recycling. However, significant gaps remain in bridging the awareness-action divide and transitioning the informal e-waste sector into the formal economy. Further research is necessary to develop effective strategies for promoting repair over replacement, enhancing regulatory frameworks, and raising public awareness through targeted campaigns to achieve sustainable e-waste management.
Keywords: E-waste, Formal, Informal, Carbon emission, Recycling.
