Trash to Trillion: India's Digital Supply Chains to Turn E-Waste into Green Gold

India is rewriting its digital growth story with a new daring chapter—converting its ewaste fiasco into a trilliondollar circular economy opportunity. As one of the world's largest ewaste generators, the country is now embracing Supply Chain 4.0—a technologybased model that leverages AI, IoT, blockchain, and big data to manage electronic waste in a sustainable way.

Key Highlights:

EWaste Boom: India produced more than 3.2 million tonnes of ewaste in 2019 alone, and volumes are growing exponentially with digital growth. Yet, legally, just less than 10% is processed.

Supply Chain 4.0 in Action

IoT sensors detect device obsolescence and trigger reverse logistics.
Blockchain enables traceability and enforces Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
Predicting waste behavior through AI analysis and optimization of recycling streams.

Corporate Trailblazers:

TCS has a closedloop IT asset recovery process.
Hindustan Unilever and Recykal have digital takebacks on mobile platforms.
MG Motor India has partnered with Attero for recycling EV batteries.

Policy Push Needed: The experts have suggested a National EWaste Digital Registry, standardized QR/RFID labeling, and financial incentives to MSMEs for digital recovery solutions.

Future Skilling: India should invest in a digitally competent workforce for reverse logistics, IoT platforms, and data analytics—aligned with the Skill India Mission and NEP 2020.

With the correct mix of policy, people, and technology, India's ewaste problem can be its biggest green revolution—fueling jobs, innovation, and global leadership in environmental value chain.

Source: Economic Times, Ministry of Electronics & IT, Recykal