As IT sector thrives, Pune grapples with e-waste pile-up: rules remain on paper as 90% of recycling done through informal channels

Pune, a vibrant city known for its thriving IT sector, has experienced remarkable growth and transformation over the past decade. However, this rapid development has brought to light a significant challenge: the management of e-waste.

With rapid urbanisation and the increasing use of technology, Pune generates over 20,000 metric tonnes of e-waste each year. However, the city’s collection rate for e-waste is only around 20 per cent, which is significantly below the national target of 70 per cent. Despite introducing policies such as the E-Waste (Management) Second Amendment Rules, 2023, there remains a considerable gap between the amount of e-waste generated and its proper management.