India’s first electronic waste (e-waste) eco park

Prelims : Current events of National Importance | Environment

Why in News?

The environment minister recently announced that the Delhi government has undertaken a project to develop India’s first electronic waste (e-waste) eco park in north Delhi’s Holambi Kalan.

• The facility will be built under a design, build, finance, operate, and transfer (DBFOT) model.
• It will be on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis for a concession period of 15 years.
• It will be designed to process up to 51,000 tonnes of e-waste, including all 106 categories of waste listed under the E-Waste Management Rules, 2022.
• Construction of the park is expected to be completed within 18 months, to process 25% of e-waste within 5 years.
• It is expected to generate over Rs. 350 Crore in revenue.
• The project is expected to create thousands of green jobs while reducing pollution and conserving resources.
• The park will also have dedicated zones for dismantling, refurbishing, plastic recovery, and a second-hand electronics market. 
• Circular Economy & Sustainable Development – This project embodies the principles of a circular economy by minimizing waste, conserving resources, and creating a closed-loop system for electronic goods.
• It aligns with India's sustainable development goals.
• Green Jobs & Skilling – It will formalize the informal e-waste sector by establishing training centres to upskill workers, ensuring safer practices and creating thousands of "green jobs."
• National Benchmark – As one of four planned facilities nationally, it will serve as a model for other states, aiming to process 25% of Delhi's e-waste within five years.
• Environmental Impact – It directly tackles the hazards of improper e-waste disposal, reducing pollution (soil, water, air) from toxic elements and conserving valuable metals.

Reference

The Hindu | India’s first e-waste recycling park