‘Sanshodhan: An E-Waste Exchange’, a Hyderabad-based startup that runs an e-waste aggregation platform has been recognized and published by global network of Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECPnet) for creating an ecosystem around e-waste and helping transform the e-waste landscape in India.
RECPnet contributes to the effective and efficient development, application, adaptation, scaling up and mainstreaming of RECP concepts, methods, policies, practices and technologies in developing and transition economies. Convened by United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), RECPnet brings together leading RECP service providers on a global and regional level to catalyze the effective and widespread application of RECP in developing and transition economies.
“Our mechanism of tracking e-waste and creating a circular economy for the e-waste management has been appreciated by RECP. They have published about us and shared it with their network members all over the world,” says Shalini Sharma, founder of E-Waste Exchange.
RECPnet recognized that the model implemented by E-Waste Exchange can be replicated and be useful in other countries in Europe and Southeast Asia, Shalini adds.
According to the e-waste management rules of the government in India, a manufacturer is responsible to collect e - waste generated during the manufacture of any electrical and electronic equipment and channelise it for recycling or disposal and channelize it to govt authorized recyclers.
E-Waste Exchange, which is currently a part of T-Hub's Lab 32 program, recognized that companies most often may find it difficult to efficiently recycle e-waste and has created an application where manufacturers, industry clusters, government and individuals can login, fill in details and schedule a pick up. A person from E-Waste Exchange then picks up the waste, pays them for it and then transfers it to an authorized recycler.
According to RECPnet, “the approach is marked by ease of use, as well as the incentive to comply with government regulations by ensuring that e-waste is efficiently disposed of through authorized entities.”
In its recognition, it has noted that the platform helps to establish circularity in the local economy through the re-introduction of raw materials, and serves as a monitoring, verification and reporting platform for regulatory authorities. “It is thereby a holistic tool, providing insight on the implementation status of related waste management policies, while creating innovative possibilities for strategic decision-making at the government level,” it adds.
Being a patented model, RECPnet says that this digital infrastructure can be replicated in other contexts and can help in developing e-waste management policies and e-waste inventories for interested countries.
The platform also has the potential to help governments meet targets under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); in particular Goals 9, 11, 12 and 13, related to sustainable industrial and urban development, efficient resource management and climate change, says RECPnet.
“This is a great opportunity for us as we are reaching out and are ready to serve other countries. Through this recognition, around 150 centres are now looking at us, which provides us the opportunity to expand globally. A few countries in Europe have recognized our potential and invited us to visit and meet with them,” Shalini says.