Eco Recycling Limited (Ecoreco), one of India's early pioneers in organised e-waste recycling, published a press release discussing the growing importance of building efficient e-waste collection, recycling and resource-recovery systems in India. The release was issued in response to recent European Union data on electronic waste.

European E-Waste Data Reference

According to Eurostat data referenced in the release, the European Union collected an average of 12.3 kg of e-waste per person in 2024. During the same year, 32.4 kg of new electrical and electronic equipment per person was placed on the market in the EU. This data highlights the scale of electronic equipment entering the economy and the challenge of ensuring proper collection and processing of discarded products.

Indian E-Waste Context

In India, NITI Aayog has estimated annual e-waste generation at approximately 6.19 million metric tonnes. At an indicative per-capita level of around 4.3-4.5 kg, India remains at a substantially lower level of reported e-waste generation compared to the amount of new equipment entering the European market per person. The company notes that differences in measurement, product mix, consumption patterns and collection systems must be considered when comparing the two regions.

Growth Opportunity

As India's digital economy expands and the installed base of electronic equipment grows, the volume of end-of-life products requiring responsible management and resource recovery is expected to increase. This presents an opportunity to develop stronger collection networks, improve formal processing, recover valuable materials and reduce the environmental impact of inappropriate disposal.

Urban Mining Perspective

The company emphasizes that e-waste is not merely a disposal challenge but contains materials that can potentially be recovered and returned to productive use. Efficient recovery can support resource conservation, reduce dependence on virgin raw materials and contribute to the development of domestic secondary-material supply chains.

Sector Development Challenges

Ecoreco identifies that the long-term development of India's recycling ecosystem will depend on processing technology, economically viable collection, reliable feedstock, appropriate environmental safeguards, traceability and effective recovery of material value. A key challenge is ensuring that environmentally sound collection and processing can compete economically with less regulated alternatives.

Strategic Positioning

The company sees opportunities for the organised sector through secure IT asset disposition, responsible e-waste collection, scientific recycling and higher-value resource recovery. The pace of commercial growth will depend on market development, regulatory implementation, investment and the economics of recovery. Sustainable growth will require commercially viable operating models, effective implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility requirements, appropriate compliance mechanisms and greater recognition of the value of recovered materials.

Future Outlook

Ecoreco views the development of India's resource-recovery ecosystem as a long-term opportunity aligned with resource efficiency, environmental protection and domestic material security. The company's existing presence in e-waste management provides a foundation from which it can continue to evaluate opportunities in collection, secure IT asset disposition and resource recovery, subject to commercial viability and the Company's business plans.

The company will continue to evaluate developments in the sector and pursue opportunities consistent with its capabilities, commercial objectives and applicable regulatory requirements.

Source References

  • Eurostat: "12.3 kg of e-waste per person collected in the EU" published 14 October 2026
  • NITI Aayog's study on India's electronic waste management ecosystem