E – waste Recycling Technology Patents filed in India - An Analysis

Abstract

The increasing use of electrical and electronic equipments has led to a significant rise in e-waste worldwide over the past two decades. E-waste is today the fastest growing component of the municipal solid waste stream and currently comprises more than 5% of its total flow, which is equivalent to 20-50 million tonnes a year worldwide. Electrical and electronic equipment contain different hazardous materials which are harmful to human health and the environment. There are several international and Indian initiatives to dispose and recycle e-waste. Even as India has been and continues to be a dumping ground of e-waste from western countries, no serious effort has been made to arrest the situation. To manage and dispose e-waste, technology often plays a vital role. The present study focuses on the e-waste patents filed in India. The study reveals a good number of technologies developed by Indian institutions like Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, individuals belonging to different institutions of India and other foreign companies. Despite its economic importance, research on e-waste recycling has never been seen as a priority and gets little respect within companies in India. This study suggests that electronic brand companies in India are laggard rather than leaders in adopting new technologies and innovation on e-waste recycling. This aversion to innovation has left consumers and workers associated with e-wastes exposed to dangers that have not been addressed. To reverse this, most of these companies will need to venture out of their comfort zone which in turn may be ensured by implementation of effective laws.