Hyderabad: Telangana has emerged as a major force in e-waste management, ranking second in the country after Uttar Pradesh, according to data presented by the ministry of environment, forest and climate change in the Lok Sabha.The state recycled over 1.6 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of e-waste in 2025-26, accounting for nearly 16% of India’s total e-waste processing. What makes this achievement stand out is the sharp growth in recent years.Telangana has recorded nearly a 400% jump in e-waste recycling from 42,000 MT in 2021-22 to 1.6 lakh MT now. Even as the country saw a 15% dip in e-waste recycling, Telangana bucked the trend, registering a 35% increase from 1.19 lakh MT in 2024-25 to 1.6 lakh MT in 2025-26.Interestingly, this growth has come despite limited infrastructure. Telangana operates with just 19 recycling units, while states like Karnataka have 33 centres but process significantly lower volumes, at around 27,000 MT.Officials from the Telangana Pollution Control Board (TGPCB) attribute the surge to active participation by IT companies and the rapid expansion of the electronics manufacturing sector, including mobile manufacturers and original equipment makers setting up operations in the state.“The state’s proactive e-waste policy has also played a key role in attracting investors and strengthening recycling capacity. An expert committee comprising scientists from IICT, NIT and JNTUH was formed to further study e-waste trends and improve management systems. Several investors have already shown interest in setting up new recycling units,” said a senior environment engineer at TGPCB.At the national level, 386 registered recyclers are listed on the e-waste extended producer responsibility (EPR) portal, with a combined annual recycling capacity of over 34.6 lakh MT across 19 states and Union territories.The Centre has also introduced an online EPR portal, managed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), mandating registration for producers, manufacturers, recyclers and refurbishers. Under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, these stakeholders are responsible for creating awareness and encouraging consumers to dispose of e-waste through authorised channels, ensuring safer and more sustainable recycling practices.
