E-WASTE MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IN INDIA: THE EVOLVING ROLE OF THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL

Abstract

Electronic waste, or e-waste, is one of the fastest growing types of waste in India. This increase is due to the growing use of electronic devices, while recycling efforts remain weak. India has regulatory framework such as the E-Waste (Management) Rules of 2016 and the updated Rules of 2022 to improve Extended Producer Responsibility, collection targets, and proper recycling practices; however, the execution part remains inconsistent. A significant proportion of discarded electronics is still handled by the informal recycling sector, exposing workers and nearby communities to hazardous substances and resulting in severe environmental contamination and public health risks. This uneven distribution of environmental risk raises serious environmental justice concerns in India, as vulnerable communities disproportionately bear the health burdens and ecological consequences of toxic e-waste processing, while the economic benefits of the electronics industry accumulate elsewhere.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), as a specialized environmental adjudicatory body, plays an important role in strengthening compliance with environmental norms, including those governing e- waste. However, poor coordination among agencies, data deficiencies, and weak operational capacity continue to limit the effectiveness of judicial intervention. This paper examines the concept of e-waste, its linkage with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the existing regulatory framework governing e-waste management in India. It further analyses the role of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in improving e-waste governance, evaluates the key enforcement challenges that hinder effective implementation, and suggests judicial reforms to enhance environmental accountability and support India’s transition towards a circular economy.