Prioritizing Factors Affecting E-Waste Recycling in India: A Framework for Achieving a Circular Economy

The electric and electronic industry has experienced rapid growth in recent years, leading to high obsolescence rates and shorter product lifespans. Effective management of e-waste (EW) through reuse, refurbishment, remanufacturing, and recycling is essential for developing a circular economy. Recycling e-waste is critical for reducing environmental pollution, conserving valuable resources, and mitigating health risks associated with hazardous materials. While developed nations like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany have established efficient recycling practices across various product categories, developing countries such as India, Brazil, and China are still in the early stages. Indian states face numerous challenges in managing e-waste, and the key solution lies in engaging in recycling efforts to minimize waste. To facilitate recycling, it is crucial to identify and analyze the factors that affect e-waste management. This article leverages previously published literature and expert opinions to pinpoint these factors, employing interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and MICMAC to determine their contextual relationships and assess their driving and dependence power. Eleven critical factors have been identified. A pairwise comparison matrix, developed using expert responses, undergoes normalization and prioritization to establish the most influential factors. “Incentives for Adoption of Circular Economy (IC 3),” “Government Policies (GP 4),” and “Customer Awareness Towards Circular Economy (CA 9)” emerged as the most influential factors. These driving factors form the foundation of the e-waste recycling ecosystem, enabling other factors to function effectively. Implementing robust financial incentives and supportive policies is crucial for fostering a conducive environment for recycling initiatives in India.