E-waste Recycling Plant Setup - Overview

Recently, the United Nations University (UNU) published a report. It stated that 38% of e-waste will increase by 2030. Undoubtedly, e-waste accounts for the fastest-growing waste type. Thanks to several reasons like the flourishing IT and communication sector and the demand to upgrade to new technologies. Consequently, the ever-increasing sale of electronic equipment will undoubtedly result in a profitable economic environment for the e-waste recycling plant set up in the coming years.

E-waste recycling helps in gold recovery, precious metal extraction, or fulfilling EPR compliances of PIBO. But unfortunately, 95% of the e-waste is not recycled in India. Hence, the need to set up e-waste recycling plants is growing.

Although there are over 1800 e-waste recycling plants in India. But, the global e-waste management market is predicted to grow. The market will grow at a CAGR of 14.3% from 2021 to 2028. It will reach $143,870 million by 2028. Thus, the need for more recycling facilities increases each year. Again, these plants should focus on recycling. Also, the facilities must practice sustainable e-waste management. However, this must be done in an eco-friendly way.

Thus, the Government of India introduced the E-waste (Management) Rules 2016. These rules have all the details of establishing an e-waste recycling plant in India. These include obtaining an e-waste license and so on. However, these rules are amended gradually. Here are the complete details to know before starting an e-waste recycling business.

E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022

The rules will apply to every recycler. The recycler must be involved in processing and recycling. These must be of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) or e-waste. Schedule I lists these EEE or e-waste. It also includes their consumables and components. Spares and parts that make the product operational are also included.

However, EWM Rules, 2022 will not apply to –

• packaging plastics as mentioned under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016;
• waste batteries as mentioned under the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022;
• radioactive wastes as mentioned under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and rules made there under; and
• micro-enterprise as defined in the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 (27 of 2006).

Definitions under EWM Rules, 2022

Before setting up E-waste machinery at the recycling plant, here are some terms to know.

E-waste stands for EEE. It includes solar photovoltaic panels, modules, or cells, in part or whole. These must be discarded as waste. These items must be rejected from refurbishment, manufacturing and repair processes.

Environmentally sound management of e-waste implies following all necessary measures. This ensures that e-waste is managed. This is done to protect the environment and human health. These are protected against any adverse effects resulting from e-waste.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is the responsibility of any producer of EEE. The producer must meet recycling targets according to Schedules III and IV. However, this must be done only via registered e-waste recyclers in India. This guarantees environmentally sound management of such waste.

The rules define a recycler as any entity or person engaged in reprocessing and recycling of waste electrical & electronic equipment (WEEE). It also includes WEEE components or assemblies or parts. This is done for the recovery of semi-precious and precious metals. The list includes rare earth elements and other valuable, recoverable materials. These help to reinforce the secondary sourced materials. Also, the registered recycler must have facilities as stated in the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) rules. It includes obtaining a pollution NOC.

Lastly, a facility is any location where certain processes are carried out. It includes e-waste reception, collection and storage. E-waste refurbishment, segregation, and recycling are also performed here. Add to it the treatment and disposal of e-waste.

Responsibilities of the recycler

All recyclers shall have to -

• tie up with producers, importers and brand owners (PIBOs);
• collect the e-waste on a quarterly or monthly basis from the manufacturers;
• register on the portal;
• make sure that the material or fractions not recycled in its e-waste recycling plant are sent to the respective registered recyclers;
• make sure that the recycling processes and facility comply with the guidelines or standards laid down by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) or State Pollution Control Board (SPCB);
• maintain a record of e-waste recycled and dispatched to registered recycler on the portal & make available all records for audit or verification as and when asked;
• make sure that residue produced during the recycling process is disposed of in an authorised TSDF (treatment storage disposal facility);
• file quarterly or annual returns in the said form on the portal before or at month end succeeding the quarter or year to which the return relates;
• create awareness through publications, media, advertisements, posters or by such other communication methods;
• obtain WEEE or components not mentioned in Schedule-I for recycling, given that they do not contain any radioactive material, and the same shall be uploaded on the portal;
• explain the reason and upload the same about any quantity or any non-recyclable e-waste which is not recycled and disposed of;
• ask for help from dismantlers for recycling purposes: The recycler is liable to ensure proper material flow to and from the dismantlers. Also, the dismantler must only hand over the dismantled material to a registered recycler. Furthermore, he should maintain a record of the same;
• Recycler of solar photovoltaic panels, modules or cells are mandated for recovery of material as decided by the CPCB regarding this;
• It must be noted that environmental compensation or financial penalties are being levied under the norms of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and associated rules on unregistered recyclers and any unit which abets or aids the violation of the EWM Rules, 2022, by the SPCB with the prior approval of the CPCB under the guidelines published by the boards;
• Must adhere to Standard Operating procedures (SOPs) and norms for recycling and disposal of e-waste under these rules issued by CPCB; and
• Suppose an accident occurs during the transportation of e-waste or at the facility processing e-waste. In that case, the recycler must immediately report to the concerned SPCB about the accident via e-mail and call.

Procedure for storage of e-waste

All recyclers must store the e-waste for up to six months. They must maintain a record of the transfer, sale and storage of e-waste and make these records available for inspection. Given that, the CPCB may extend the said period up to one year if the e-waste is to be precisely stored to develop a process for its reuse or recycling.

Extended Producer Responsibility Certificate Generation for Recycling

The CPCB generates an EPR certificate through the portal in name of a registered recycler in a pre-decided format.

The quantity eligible for issuing of extended producer responsibility certificate is calculated by the following formula given below:

QEPR = Cf x Qp

QEPR = the quantity eligible for the generation of the certificate

Cf = conversion factor (quantity of inputs needed for the production of one unit of output (shall be determined by CPCB with the approval of the steering committee))

Qp = the quantity of the end product

The EPR certificate is valid for two years from the end of the financial year in which it was produced.

Each extended producer responsibility certificate will carry a unique number mentioning the code of the end product, the year of generation, a unique code, and a recycler code.

Verification and Audit

The CPCB, through a designated agency or by itself, must verify compliance with EWM rules by recyclers via periodic audits and random inspection.

Targets Set

Note:

(1) E-waste recycling target must be reviewed and may be rised after the end of the year 2028- 2029.

(2) E-Waste recycling targets shall not apply to waste generated from solar photovoltaic panels, modules, or cells.

Need for E-waste Licence

• A license is required to get e-waste from manufacturing plants, corporates, companies, and IT firms, and thus can be recycled.
• An E-waste Licence License is required to participate in MSTC auctions to get e-waste from PSUs like BHEL and Indian Railways for recycling.

Procedure for grant of registration

1. Every e-waste recycler must apply, within three months in Form-4 in triplicate to the SPCB accompanied by a copy of the following documents for the grant of registration:

• CTE as given by the SPCB under the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 & the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974;
• Certificate of registration granted by the District Industries Centre (DIC) or any other government agency authorised in this regard;
• E-waste passbook;
• Proof of installed capacity of plant & machinery granted by the DIC or any other authorised government agency;
• Details of Occupational safety and health aspects;
• Details of e-waste suggested to be procured from reprocessing;
• Copy agreement with a producer;
• Pollution NOC;
• Copy of agreement with Collection Centre;
• TSDF Facility Service Authorisation;
• Fire NOC;
• Factory's licence;
• Details of storage for dismantled e-waste;
• Udyam Registration Certificate;
• CTO;
• Details of facilities for recycling;
• Copy of agreement with recycler;
• Hazardous Waste Authorisation;
• Details of storage for raw & recovered materials; and
• Register at the Udyog Aadhaar MSME

2. The SPCB, on receiving the complete application and ensuring that the applicant possesses sufficient requisite facilities, technical capabilities and equipment to process and recycle e-waste and is using environmentally sound technologies, may grant registration to such applicants stipulating therein necessary conditions as deemed necessary for performing safe operations at the authorised place only.

3. The SPCB may refuse to grant the E-waste licence after giving the applicant a reasonable opportunity to be heard by order.

4. The State Pollution Control Board may suspend or cancel the e-waste registration granted upon having reasons to believe that the registered recycler has failed to comply with any norms of the Act or rules or any of the conditions of registration after allowing the recycler to be heard and after recording the reasons.

5. 5. The recycler must maintain records of the e-waste processed and purchased. Furthermore, the recycler must file annual returns of its activities of the previous year. Use Form 3 to file the returns. Send it to the SPCB/Pollution Control Committee on or before the 30th day of June annually.

Frequently Asked Questions