The Impact of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) on E-Waste

India’s rapid digital growth has made electronic waste one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the country. Every new phone, laptop, or appliance adds to a future disposal challenge. To address this, the government has implemented Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)- a regulation that makes producers responsible for managing their products even after consumers discard them. EPR ensures that companies don’t just sell products but also account for what happens when those products reach the end of life. It brings traceability and responsibility into waste management, transforming how electronic waste is collected, recycled, and reused. As of 2025, India’s E-Waste (Management) Rules require producers to recover 70% of the total products they sell by weight. Over time, these targets are expected to rise. Attero Recycling Pvt. Ltd. is at the centre of this transformation, providing deep-tech recycling solutions that help producers meet compliance and sustainability goals under EPR. What is EPR? Extended Producer Responsibility is a policy approach that shifts the environmental responsibility of managing waste from consumers and governments to producers. In India, EPR is regulated by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under the E-Waste (Management) Rules 2022. Under EPR, producers must: 1. Register on the national EPR portal. 2. Set up authorised collection and recycling systems. 3. Meet annual recycling and recovery targets. 4. Submit compliance and traceability reports. EPR integrates product design, recycling, and reporting into one ecosystem. It ensures that electronics manufacturers build sustainability into every phase of their operations- from design to disposal. Why EPR Matters for E-Waste Management India is now among the world’s top five generators of e-waste. Yet only 43% of this waste was processed through formal recycling systems in FY 2023-24, according to a 2025 report. The rest continues to flow through informal, unsafe channels where workers dismantle electronics without protective equipment or pollution control. EPR matters because it creates a clear accountability chain. It: 1. Forces producers to manage e-waste responsibly. 2. Reduces pollution from unscientific disposal. 3. Encourages eco-friendly design and recyclable materials. 4. Supports formal recyclers like Attero in scaling operations and replacing informal networks. By connecting manufacturing with recycling, EPR turns waste into a recoverable resource- a crucial step toward a circular economy. How EPR Works in Practice EPR in India operates through a structured process: 1. Registration- Producers, importers, and brand owners register with the CPCB and submit an EPR plan. 2. Collection and Recycling- They set up take-back systems or partner with authorised recyclers, such as Attero. 3. Documentation- Producers upload evidence of collection, transport, and recycling on the official EPR portal. 4. Compliance- If collection targets are unmet, producers must purchase EPR certificates from registered recyclers or pay environmental compensation. This digital monitoring system ensures that waste is tracked, treated, and reused under safe, verifiable conditions. Attero and EPR Implementation Attero is one of India’s most advanced recyclers registered under the EPR framework. The company provides traceable, compliant, and technology-driven recycling services for producers across electronics, EV, and battery sectors. Attero’s facilities use patented processes to extract high-purity metals from discarded electronics and lithium-ion batteries. Its operations align fully with India’s updated 2025 EPR and hazardous waste regulations. Key achievements include: 1. Full traceability through the EPR compliance portal. 2. Support for producers to meet 60% recovery targets. 3. Expansion into rare-earth and battery recycling for broader circularity. Through its technology and reach, Attero helps producers achieve compliance while reducing their environmental footprint. Benefits of EPR A strong EPR framework brings wide-ranging benefits: 1. Environmental Protection: Less toxic waste ends up in landfills; more is recycled safely. 2. Circular Economy Growth: Recovered metals re-enter the production cycle, cutting mining demand. 3. Job Creation: Formal collection and recycling generate thousands of green jobs. 4. Corporate Accountability: Producers integrate sustainability into product design and logistics. 5. Economic Value: The Indian e-waste recycling market, valued at USD 1.6 billion in 2024, is projected to reach USD 2.8 billion by 2033, driven by EPR compliance and formalisation. Challenges in EPR Implementation Despite progress, challenges remain: 1. Many small producers lack awareness or fail to register under EPR. 2. Informal recyclers still process a significant portion of e-waste. 3. Tracking refurbished and resold electronics across states remains difficult. 4. Enforcement and verification systems are still maturing. Collaboration between government agencies, recyclers, and consumers is essential for closing these gaps. Strengthening infrastructure and digital reporting will help India achieve full compliance under EPR. Extended Producer Responsibility has transformed how India manages e-waste. It links production with disposal, creating accountability, and driving sustainability. By ensuring that producers take ownership of their waste, EPR helps build a cleaner, safer, and resource-efficient economy. Attero’s technology-driven recycling solutions show what successful EPR implementation looks like. Through innovation and compliance leadership, Attero is helping India move toward a future where electronic growth and environmental care coexist. FAQs What is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)? EPR is a policy that makes producers responsible for collecting and recycling their products at the end of their life under CPCB regulations. Why is EPR important for e-waste management? It prevents unsafe disposal, recovers valuable materials, and ensures formal, traceable recycling. How does EPR work in India? Producers register with CPCB, partner with authorised recyclers, and meet recovery targets through verified systems. Who are the stakeholders in EPR? Producers, recyclers, regulatory bodies (CPCB/SPCB), logistics providers, and consumers. What are the benefits of EPR for the environment? It reduces pollution, conserves natural resources, and promotes a sustainable, circular economy. Get in Touch With Us Name* Name Email* Email Mobile number* +91 | 10 digit mobile no. 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