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<keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword> is planning a <keyword id="22964001" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="repairability-index" source="keywords">repairability index</keyword> for <keyword id="20016418" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mobile-phones" source="keywords">mobile phones</keyword> and electronic products to address the growing <keyword id="19932462" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="e-waste" source="keywords">e-waste</keyword> problem and encourage manufacturers to produce more easily repairable items, officials said on Thursday. The <keyword id="20026051" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Consumer-Affairs-Ministry" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Consumer Affairs Ministry" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Consumer Affairs Ministry">Consumer Affairs Ministry</keyword> is spearheading the initiative, which will provide a score on key parameters to inform consumers about the ease with which a product can be repaired, the officials said at a national workshop on the issue. Addressing the workshop, <keyword id="20003684" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="consumer-affairs" source="keywords">Consumer Affairs</keyword> Secretary Nidhi Khare said: "As India emerges as the third largest economy in the world, we should have a vibrant and tech-savvy repair system." She also added, "India can become a repair hub for the world." The proposed index will be similar to initiatives in other countries, such as France's repairability index. It will rate products on criteria including availability of technical documents, ease of disassembly, spare parts availability and pricing. The workshop was aimed at establishing a consensus among industry stakeholders on "key parameters for accessing and evaluating repairability index" besides promoting longevity in product design, and democratizing repair information to enhance consumer experiences in reusing the mobile and <keyword id="19896834" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electronics" source="keywords">electronics</keyword> products they own. Additional Secretary Bharat Khera emphasized the need for transparent and affordable repair solutions, increased consumer awareness, and support for local repairers. Joint Secretary Anupam Mishra highlighted concerns about the lack of genuine spare parts in local markets, compatibility issues with product components, and the absence of information for consumers to repair their own devices. He also mentioned that the Repairability Index of France rates products on five criteria, while the EU has additional parameters. <keyword id="20032279" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="HCL-Technologies" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="HCL Technologies" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="HCL Technologies">HCL Technologies</keyword> Founder Ajai Chowdhry called for legislation to drive change. "Today, most products are not repairable. We need to design products which can be repaired.... Unless we create a law, things will not change," he said. The government has already launched a <keyword id="22964002" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Right-to-Repair-Portal" source="keywords">Right to Repair Portal</keyword>, with 63 companies onboard, including 23 from the mobile and electronics sector. India is the third largest electronic waste producer globally after China and the US. The initiative aims to reduce e-waste, promote <keyword id="20128078" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sustainable-practices" source="keywords">sustainable practices</keyword>, and create opportunities for third-party repairers in India's growing electronics market.

India plans repairability index for mobile, electronics to tackle e-waste

India is the Biggest Dumping Ground for E-Waste. Here's How Teens Recycle It

<ul><li>The <keyword id="8194701" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="refurbished-smartphone" source="Orion">refurbished smartphone</keyword> market has recorded rapid growth in India.</li><li>While the unorganised sellers dominate the market, the organised sellers are also growing.</li><li>Affordability and shorter upgrade cycles are among the factors fueling the refurbished smartphone market.</li></ul> India's refurbished smartphone market is experiencing significant growth, outpacing the new smartphone sector. This reflects a maturing market which is increasingly catering to consumers looking for affordable yet reliable options. According to a report by Counterpoint Research, unorganised sellers dominate the refurbished smartphone market, accounting for 77% of transactions. The Indian refurbished smartphone sector has traditionally been dominated by unorganised players, offering devices at a fraction of the cost of the new models. However, the introduction of value-added services like warranties, quality assurance, and after-sales support by emerging e-commerce platforms is beginning to formalise this market, enhancing consumer trust and driving further growth. <h2>What’s fueling the refurbished smartphone market</h2><h3>Affordability</h3><keyword id="2698558" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="refurbished-smartphones" source="Orion">Refurbished smartphones</keyword> offer consumers access to higher-end hardware at lower costs, making premium technology more accessible to a broader audience. This aspect is particularly appealing in a price-sensitive market like India. <h3>Shorter upgrade cycles</h3>With technology evolving rapidly, many users prefer to upgrade their phones more frequently. Refurbished devices provide an avenue for this without the high cost associated with new purchases. <h3>Environmental impact</h3>There's a growing awareness of the environmental benefits of using refurbished products, which reduces electronic waste and the demand for new manufacturing, which is resource-intensive. <h3>Consumer confidence</h3>The entry of organised players who provide guarantees and quality checks on refurbished devices has significantly boosted consumer confidence. These services add a layer of reliability to what was once a market fraught with uncertainty about product condition and longevity. Despite the growth in the unorganised sector, there's a noticeable trend towards formalisation. E-commerce platforms specialising in refurbished goods are expanding, providing consumers with the convenience of online shopping backed by credible service commitments. The report also notes that this growth is not just contained within India. Globally, the refurbished smartphone market is on an upward trajectory, with similar trends observed in markets like Latin America, suggesting a broader international shift towards sustainable consumption in electronics. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/moto-g35-5g-with-120hz-5000mah-battery-launched-at-9999/articleshow/116172283.cms">Moto G35 5G with 120Hz display, 5,000mAh battery launched at ₹9,999</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/redmi-note-14-pro-and-redmi-note-14-pro-launched-in-india-starting-at-24999/articleshow/116134415.cms">Redmi Note 14 Pro and Redmi Note 14 Pro+ launched in India starting at ₹24,999</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/vivo-x200-and-x200-pro-camera-centric-to-launch-in-india-on-december-12/articleshow/115930004.cms">Vivo X200 and X200 Pro camera-centric smartphones to launch in India on December 12</a>

India's refurbished smartphone market witnesses accelerated growth

<keyword id="19895622" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="microsoft" source="keywords">Microsoft</keyword>'s decision to end support for <keyword id="6423476" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="windows-10" source="Orion">Windows 10</keyword> could turn 240 million personal computers into e-waste, leaving those to end up in landfill, a new report has claimed. Microsoft's <keyword id="19900653" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="windows" source="keywords">Windows</keyword> 11 will help support a struggling PC market as customers prepare for another refresh cycle -- but the termination of Windows 10 support could prevent hundreds of millions of devices from getting second lives, according to <keyword id="19930983" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="canalys" source="keywords">Canalys</keyword> research. Canalys estimates that in the nearly two-year period until Microsoft's official end-of-support date for Windows 10, which is October 14, 2025, roughly a fifth of devices will become e-waste due to incompatibility with the Windows 11 OS. "This equates to 240 million PCs. If these were all folded laptops, stacked one on top of another, they would make a pile 600 km taller than the moon," said the report. Most of these 240 million PCs, if in good condition, could at least be recycled, but their incompatibility with the latest supported version of Windows massively reduces their value for refurbishing and reselling. "Many of the 240 million PCs will still be usable for years to come, but demand for devices no longer supported by Microsoft will be minimal -- even companies with the tightest of IT budgets will be deterred by the lack of free and continued security updates," the report mentioned. In early December, Microsoft issued a statement announcing that Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 will be available until October 2028 -- albeit for a currently unspecified annual fee. This approach is not new for Microsoft, which also offered paid Extended Security Updates for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 until January 2023. "Though the provision of extended support can prolong the lifespans of Windows 11-ineligible PCs, the cost of these security updates will likely be a barrier for many users," according to the report. The pricing plans for Windows 7's extended support began at $25 per PC for the first year of support, quadrupling to $100 annually in the third and final year of Extended Security Updates. If Microsoft pursues a similar pricing structure for Windows 10's extended support, the more cost-effective option will be migration to newer, Windows 11-capable PCs -- forcing older PCs onto the scrapheap, the report noted. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/upcoming-new-mobile-phones-in-india-in-2024/slidelist/106244996.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/upcoming-new-mobile-phones-in-india-in-2024/slidelist/106244996.cms" target="_blank">Apple vs Samsung vs OnePlus and more – Upcoming smartphones launching in India in 2024</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/webstories/top-10-richest-people-in-the-world-in-2023/slidelist/106204146.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/webstories/top-10-richest-people-in-the-world-in-2023/slidelist/106204146.cms" target="_blank">Elon Musk to Warren Buffett – the top 10 richest people in the world</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/redmi-note-12-to-moto-g84-the-most-popular-smartphones-in-2023-under-20000/slidelist/106183118.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/redmi-note-12-to-moto-g84-the-most-popular-smartphones-in-2023-under-20000/slidelist/106183118.cms" target="_blank">Redmi Note 12 to Moto G84 – The most popular smartphones in 2023 under ₹20,000</a>

Microsoft's Windows 10 support end could turn 240 mn PCs into e-waste

<ul><li>Developing countries like India are receiving e-waste while developed nations are sending it out illegally. </li><li>Despite having legislation in place, the illegal movement of e-waste happening due to the complex web of transshipment ports. </li><li>The informal recycling operations result in have severe health impacts and cause environmental damage. </li></ul>Countries like Australia, China and the United States produce most of the world’s e-waste, but it’s developing countries like India that bear the brunt. India has a massive pile of e-waste of its own but it has also become the dumping ground for other developed countries. The World Economic Forum highlights the challenges of global e-waste in its ‘A New Circular Vision for Electronics’ report. <div type="image" title="ewastemap" msid="68077883" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;A New Circular Vision for Electronics, WEF&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>

 The report asserts that as the use of technology grows, so do the threats concerned with e-waste. One of the biggest being the illegal movement of e-waste from developed countries to their developing counterparts. The complex web of transshipment ports makes detection of e-waste by authorities a considerable hurdle. Nearly 1.3 million tonnes of discarded electronic products make their way out of the European Union without documentation. Clearing up the legislation E-waste, or electronic waste, refers to all electronic equipment that’s been discarded by users with no intentions of reuse. This includes everything from smaller items like lamps and phones to larger appliances like televisions, refrigerators and washing machines. Countries like India, one of the most populous in the world, at least have legislation in place attempting to counteract the problem. In comparison, only a handful of nations in Africa have some sort of policy to deal with e-waste. But having a policy in place doesn’t necessarily imply the successful enforcement of guidelines or the existence of sufficient <keyword id="837232" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="E-WASTE-MANAGEMENT">e-waste management</keyword> systems. The ‘Global E-waste Monitor 2017’ <a href="https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Climate-Change/Documents/GEM%202017/Global-E-waste%20Monitor%202017%20.pdf">reported</a> that informal recycling operations have been in place for a long in India but they have severe health impacts and cause environmental damage. Clarifying international guidelines for re-integrating discarded technology into new products is only one possible way to negate the negative externalities of e-waste. The market for refurbished phones in India is on the rise but shipment of used products is still to legislative uncertainty. The WEF propagates that creating a e-waste circular economy would keep materials and electronic components at their highest value at all times. This doesn’t only have to do with recycling e-waste but also designing products in way that supports reuse, durability and eventually safe recycling. 80% of e-waste isn’t documented and only 41 countries around the world have official statistics on e-waste in order to monitor the situation.

Developing countries like India bear the brunt of global e-waste

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Discarded electronics is the world's fastest-growing type of domestic waste, and little is recycled.</li><li>The variety of electronics is growing, and most devices aren't made to be recycled or repaired.</li></ul>You replace your cell phone with a shiny new one and dump the old one in a junk drawer just in case. You likely just did a couple things wrong: You sidelined a phone that probably had some life left in it, and you didn't recycle the old one right away so that it would have a better chance of being reused. Our haste to get new gear and our hesitancy to then part with our old stuff is partly what's making discarded electronics the world's fastest-growing <a href="https://ewastemonitor.info/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/GEM_2020_def_july1_low.pdf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">category</a> of domestic waste. If more of us don't change how we handle our electronics, the problem will only get worse. About 17% of the world's <keyword id="12116766" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="e-waste" source="Orion">e-waste</keyword> was collected and recycled in 2019, the United Nations found. The rest is often burned or dumped in landfills, where components, such as lead and arsenic, can seep into groundwater if leaks occur. "Electronics really are not designed to be easily repaired or recycled," said Callie Babbitt, a professor of <keyword id="11896309" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sustainability" source="Orion">sustainability</keyword> at Rochester Institute of Technology. Part of the problem is the number of products that have morphed into electronics. "There are smart hairbrushes, smart toothbrushes, smart shades, smart lighting," Babbitt said. "Even pet supplies are smart." A byproduct of this burgeoning ecosystem is e-waste. The world's electronic castoffs reached a record 53.6 million metric tons in 2019, a jump of 21% in five years. Most alarming, the UN projects that the number of discarded products with a battery or plug will almost double by 2030. Electronics don't get to enjoy their golden years One reason we're tripping over old computer cords and game consoles is because we often replace our devices while they're still working. So they pile up. In other cases, making repairs can be difficult. Proponents of the "right to repair," including <a href="https://www.ifixit.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">iFixit</a>, say it shouldn't be so hard to get our stuff working again. Facing pressure, <a href="https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/a39677632/right-to-repair-google-pixel/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Google</a>, <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/27/23044301/apple-iphone-diy-repair-self-service-program-spare-parts-12-13" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Apple</a>, and other electronics giants have begun selling some parts and tools to consumers to allow them to DIY their fixes. But that's not always <a href="https://petapixel.com/2022/05/02/expert-says-apples-self-repair-service-is-designed-to-be-unapproachable/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">easy</a>.Even many businesses, with their focus on profits, are getting rid of equipment too soon. A recent <a href="https://soti.net/lp/sustainability?utm_source=pr&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_campaign=2022-03-sustainability-landing-page&amp;utm_content=landing-page#sus-form-header?utm_source=pr&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_campaign=2022-03-sustainability-landing-page&amp;utm_content=landing-page" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">survey</a> from Soti, a software company, found that almost seven in 10 IT leaders of international companies believed their companies were tossing aside devices prematurely, especially laptops and tablets. The survey, which spanned eight countries, including the US, Canada, and the UK, highlighted that more than half of these leaders had specific targets for cutting e-waste and for sustainably managing their companies' devices.The EPA hopes to boost e-waste <keyword id="12063226" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="recycling" source="Orion">recycling</keyword>Nena Shaw, the acting director of the resource conservation and sustainability division of the Environmental Protection Agency, said US recycling rates for e-waste were hard to pin down. In part that's because e-waste is often handled in different ways across the country, and because recycling rates are often measured in tonnage. But electronics are getting lighter — think of today's flat-screen TVs compared with their cathode-ray tube forebears — so it makes it harder to tease out what's happening with the data, she said. Shaw said that after peaking at around 40% in 2014, the US recycling rate for e-waste has been declining. But the EPA is working on an electronics strategy, she added, and hopes to boost the nation's e-waste recycling rate to 50% by 2030. One reason to step up e-waste recycling is strategic. Shaw said supply-chain holdups relating to the pandemic and the war in Ukraine are drawing more attention to how the US obtains essential materials that will be required in larger amounts for the future economy. Today, many of the key minerals used in things such as electric-vehicle batteries, solar panels, and wind turbines are imported. "It's super important that we continue to encourage the recycling of electronics, and that we continue to work on ensuring those supply chains for the critical minerals for our use in the United States," Shaw said.It's time to go Marie Kondo on your electronicsThere are other reasons to recycle electronics. The sooner a device gets recycled, the greater the chance it can be reused. Many e-waste recyclers pluck still usable equipment off the conveyor belt and sell it. Some even make repairs to get devices working again. Sites, such as <a href="https://earth911.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Earth911</a>, can point to local recycling facilities. And big retailers, such as Apple and Best Buy, <a href="https://www.bestbuy.com/site/services/recycling/pcmcat149900050025.c?id=pcmcat149900050025" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">take</a> back electronics. Babbitt said it's easy to get a new smartphone and save the old one in case the new one breaks. But she advised against keeping the older model."By the time I actually find it again in the bottom of my desk drawer and take it to a recycler, it has no hope of ever being repaired or recycled because it's too old. All they can do now is scrap it for the metals and materials inside," she said.

We’re drowning in electronic waste because we buy new devices too soon and don't recycle old stuff fast enough

<ul><li><keyword id="10591" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="samsung" source="Orion">Samsung</keyword> is expected to soon start offering recycled parts for device repairs.</li><li>The move is aimed at reducing repair costs and reducing e-waste.</li><li>Samsung recently announced a self-repair programme for Galaxy devices in the US.</li></ul>In another boost to its sustainability effort, Samsung is now looking to increase the use of recycled parts in its smartphone repair programme. This move is aimed at reducing costs for the consumers and cutting back on electronic waste. According to a Business Korea <a href="http://www.businesskorea.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=90690">report</a>, Samsung is working on introducing a manufacturer-certified recycled parts programme wherein customers will be able to purchase recycled parts that are certified by the company to be functioning as well as factory-new parts. This comes soon after the company had announced a <a href="https://news.samsung.com/us/samsung-self-repair-program-ifixit-customer-first-care-experience/">self-repair</a> programme for Galaxy device owners in the US. Initially, users of Galaxy S20 series, Galaxy S21 series and Galaxy Tab S7+ will be able to order repair kits consisting of device parts, repair tools and guides for their devices. The new recycled parts programme is expected to be tied with the company’s self-repair programme and users will get recycled parts that are in good condition. According to the above report, this will considerably reduce the cost of parts by as much as 50%. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Samsung’s sustainability push" comment="subhead" text="Samsung’s sustainability push">Samsung’s sustainability push</cmsannotation> This move will help reduce e-waste, allowing the company to use recycled parts in place of new parts. The company had also announced its plan to increase the use of recycled materials in its products as part of its Galaxy Project for the Earth initiative. The company has used recycled plastic in the recently announced <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/samsung-galaxy-s22-series-mobile-launched-in-india-check-out-price-and-specification/articleshow/89637809.cms">Galaxy S22 series</a>. As part of its sustainability efforts, the company is also removing the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.co.za/samsung-galaxy-s21-smartphone-no-wall-charger-headphones-2021-1">charging brick and headphones</a> from several of its devices, including the flagship Galaxy S series. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/best-phones-under-rs-20000-in-india-in-april-2022/slidelist/90817853.cms">Best phones under ₹20,000 in India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/vivo-x-fold-foldable-new-smartphone-launched/articleshow/90802333.cms">Vivo X Fold launched - Samsung gets a powerful rival in the foldable segment</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/oneplus-nord-ce-2-lite-5g-nord-smartphone-to-launch-soon-in-india/articleshow/90775769.cms">OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G, Nord Buds teased — scheduled to launch on April 28</a>

Samsung’s recycled parts programme might make your phone repairs up to 50% cheaper

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Amazon delivery packages from North America were found in illegal dump sites and mills in India.</li><li>Plastic waste ends up in dump sites that emit vile odors and can pollute the air, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2022-india-plastic-recycling-pollution/">Bloomberg</a> reports.</li></ul>Amazon consumers in the US and Canada may think that their Amazon delivery packaging will find a second life once they recycle it. But <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2022-india-plastic-recycling-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a Bloomberg investigation</a> found that many of these plastic shipping envelopes, alongside other consumer packaging, are now ubiquitous at six illegal dump sites in the remote town of Muzaffarnagar, India — thousands of miles away from where they were discarded.It's not necessarily the fault of Amazon: Many consumers wrongly assume that packages labeled recyclable or featuring the three-arrow recycle logo are safe for recycling everywhere, but the majority of American recyclers can't process soft plastics, Bloomberg reported.As a result, plastic, like the Amazon envelopes, often gets mixed into the paper waste that is shipped to countries with lax enforcement of disposal rules, which is how the plastic can end up polluting someone's backyard on the other side of the world, per Bloomberg. Laurie Smyla, a former recycling coordinator with a degree in environmental science who is based in Sloatsburg, New York, recycled a plastic Amazon envelope that made its way to a three-acre plastic dump site in India just a few hundred feet away from the home of Bobinder Kumar and his family, Bloomberg found. "I feel betrayed as a consumer," Smyla told Bloomberg. "That recycling symbol — it's all a marketing feel-good message and very deceptive. It should not be harming other people in other parts of the world."Kumar said that the site is flooded with Amazon's blue-and-white shipping envelopes and that the packaging emits a vile odor."We can't escape the smell of the trash, even in our home," Kumar told Bloomberg. "It's very terrible to live close to the site, but what can we do?"Amazon delivery packaging was also found mixed in with materials processed at sugar cane and paper mills in Muzaffarnagar, according to Bloomberg. Burning plastic, like the packaging, releases toxic chemicals like mercury and dioxins into the atmosphere, which can cause harm to humans, agriculture, and animals.Residents of Muzaffarnagar told Bloomberg that they know when plastic is burnt while they are asleep because they wake up to find sheets of ash covering their terraces and crops. Muzaffarnagar's chief medical officer said that air pollution and the burning of plastic are linked to a 30% uptick in respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis among the town's residents, Bloomberg reported. Often times, waste is transferred from wealthy countries to less wealthy ones with the help of brokers who charge a fee to throw away trash or buy the trash at a cheap rate to sell across borders, Bloomberg reported. These brokers have alleged links to criminal gangs and fraudsters.Bloomberg's findings come three years after the Indian government lifted its ban on importing plastic waste due to the country's waste shortage, <a href="https://www.indiatimes.com/explainers/news/government-allows-import-of-plastic-waste-565972.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the India Times reported.</a>The findings pose a challenge to <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biauto-60624-20&amp;postID=63ab09363864673035143f6e&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fsustainability.aboutamazon.com%2Fenvironment%2Fpackaging" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amazon's sustainability commitments</a> to increase the recyclability of its delivery packages and to reduce its waste. Last year, the company generated 709 million pounds of plastic packaging waste, according to a <a href="https://oceana.org/press-releases/report-amazons-plastic-packaging-waste-jumped-18-to-709-million-pounds-in-2021/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">report by international environmental group Oceana,</a> and it used 97,222 metric tons of single-use plastic across Amazon-owned and operated global fulfillment centers, the company said.In 2021, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-return-program-cut-wasted-destroyed-inventory-from-unsold-products-2021-8">Amazon announced programs</a> to sell returned items as "used" and for vendors to sell their overstocked inventory in bulk as part of its pledge to prevent millions of its products from entering the landfill.While Amazon didn't respond to Insider's request for comment on its packaging being found in Muzaffarnagar, a company spokesperson told Insider in a statement that it "is committed to minimizing waste and helping our customers recycle their packaging.""Since 2015, we have invested in materials, processes, and technologies that have reduced per-shipment packaging weight by 38% and eliminated over 1.5 million tons of packaging material," the spokesperson said.The spokesperson also referred Insider to <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biauto-60624-20&amp;postID=63ab09363864673035143f6e&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Famsc%3Fref_%3Dnavm_em__amsc_hamburger_0_1_1_55" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amazon Second Chance</a>, a guide for customers to understand how to recycle their Amazon packaging. <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2022-india-plastic-recycling-pollution/">Here is the full report from Bloomberg.</a>

Amazon's plastic packaging was reportedly found thousands of miles away at illegal dump sites in India

Ahead of the total ban on Single Use Plastic (SUP) from July 1, about 200-odd brand owners, including several MNCs, and 26 importers of plastic have registered for the <keyword id="1104757" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="extended-producer-responsibility" source="Orion">Extended Producer Responsibility</keyword> (EPR) for plastic packaging under the amended <keyword id="398342" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="plastic-waste-management" source="Orion">Plastic Waste Management</keyword> Rules 2016. As per the data from <keyword id="67999" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="central-pollution-control-board" source="Orion">Central Pollution Control Board</keyword> (CPCB), for year 2022-23, as many as 198 brand owners (BOs), and 26 importers (Is) have registered under the PIBO registration; the process is ongoing for 26 BOs, 29 producers (Ps) and 48 Is, while 76 BOs, 17 Ps and 38 Is have submitted their applications for registration. "Applications of 49 brand owners and 59 importers were rejected for multiple reasons," said a senior official from the CPCB, adding, "The process is on-going and we are reaching out to the industry constantly. There are laggards and there are willing companies." Not all companies use SUP for plastic packaging but the registration has been made compulsory for long term plastic management under the new Rules. The EPR, i.e. the Extended Producer Responsibility, means the responsibility of a producer for the environmentally sound management of the product until the end of its life. The <keyword id="151298" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="ministry-of-environment" source="Orion">Ministry of Environment</keyword>, Forest and Climate Change(MoEF&amp;CC) had notified the EPR guidelines vide Fourth Amendment to Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016 on February 16. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced freedom for <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> from SUP in his 2019 Independence Day speech, the MoEF&amp;CC had brought in an amendment to the Plastic Waste Management (PWB) Rules in August 2021 that prohibited manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale &amp; use of SUP from July 1, 2022. These items include plastic sticks that are used in ear buds, balloons, candy, ice-cream; cutlery items such as plates, cups , glasses, forks, spoons, knives, trays; packaging / wrapping films such as that used for sweet box, invitation cards, cigarette packets, and other items such as plastic flags, PVC banners of less than 100 microns, polystyrene for decoration. The minimum specified thickness for polythene carry bags was 75 micron already applicable from September 2021 but it would be 120 microns from December 2022. The CPCB has no actual data for the average plastic waste generation in cities and considers it to be around 6.92 per cent of the municipal solid waste (MSW) as per the 2015 report 'Assessment &amp; Characteristics of Plastic Waste generated in 60 cities'. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/asus-says-the-rog-phone-6-will-be-the-first-splash-resistant-gaming-smartphone/articleshow/92495593.cms">Asus teases the ROG Phone 6 gaming phone — confirmed to feature IPX4 splash-resistance</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/supercomputers-have-become-faster-and-more-powerful-but-making-them-energy-efficient-is-the-need-of-the-hour/articleshow/92495353.cms">Supercomputers have become faster and more powerful — but making them energy efficient is the need of the hour</a>

200 Indian companies register for extended producer responsibility for plastic packaging

<ul><li><keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>'s first social commerce platform has turned 1.23 lakh small business owners into lakhpatis. </li><li><keyword id="3480589" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="meesho" source="Orion">Meesho</keyword> has overtaken <keyword id="18635" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="amazon" source="Orion">Amazon</keyword> and <keyword id="6354742" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="flipkart" source="Orion">Flipkart</keyword> in terms of user penetration in tier 2 to tier 4 cities of India. </li><li>Compressed app size, explainer videos on doing business, monthly visits to households of small businessmen is how Meesho is capturing India’s rural heartland. </li></ul>At 13 years of age, <keyword id="15066970" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="divyanjali-mishra" source="Orion">Divyanjali Mishra</keyword> is a year short of the legal age to work in India but the entrepreneurial bug bit this teen after she saw her brother-in-law become successful online. She too followed the same path to make and sell t-shirts, wallets and belts on Meesho – an enterprise that made her a <keyword id="23267" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="crorepati" source="Orion">crorepati</keyword> before she turned 18. Her businesses HK Traders and Parthasarathi Enterprises have an annual turnover of ₹24 crore, processing 3,000-4,000 orders per day that she receives from Meesho. Her business now employs over 30 women – all under the age of 23 and coming from economically weaker backgrounds. <div type="image" title="Divyanjali Mishra" msid="94399483" hostid="261" sizebytes="34420"></div> Light and fast Social commerce app Meesho has given wings to many such young, restless, ambitious and talented entrepreneurs across the country – at least 8,000 sellers on Meesho have turned crorepatis since January 2021. As many as 1.23 lakh small business owners have turned into lakhpatis on Meesho. With over 127 million users in August 2022 alone, what is driving this unicorn's customer and seller growth? One trait that’s common between Meesho and its sellers is speed. "Our vision is to democratise internet e-commerce. When the cost of trying out a business online is massively reduced and onboarding happens within 12 hours, more sellers come onboard," said <keyword id="1893518" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="megha-agarwal" source="Orion">Megha Agarwal</keyword>, CXO, user growth at Meesho, in an interview with Business Insider India. It also has features unique to small businesses and new enterprises – like the 7-day payment feature. When these sellers are paid faster, they can re-invest faster and hence chase growth. It also helps cover some risks with the ‘Zero penalty’ feature, where sellers are not penalised for self or auto cancellation of orders, Meesho said. Meesho's app is also the lightest e-commerce app in India at 13.6 MB. Flipkart’s app takes up 18 MB of space while Amazon requires 59 MB. "Our customers are mostly from tier 2, tier 3 and tier 4 cities of India. We are aware that customers don't always have smartphones with high data storage. Thus we made our app very light. To make the process of onboarding easier, we are now providing the app in nine vernacular languages," said Agarwal. Meesho, which is backed by Facebook and SoftBank, currently has 360 million downloads – 175 million of these in the last year alone. How does Meesho churn out entrepreneurs from rural India? The social e-commerce team at Meesho conducts monthly travel sessions with the team to the hometowns of their businessmen and businesswomen. It also provides monetary initial boost to sellers who are coming onboard for the first time. “Additionally, we provide free ad credits worth ₹1,200 to all new suppliers who create 7 live catalogues milestones within the first two weeks of their journey,” said Meesho. To promote ease of doing business, the unicorn has created two activation teams dedicated to understanding how to make it easy for sellers who are uneducated. "To improve comprehension and reduce friction, we have created two activation teams from both the seller and user side. Over 20 plus videos exist to educate about sales online. Even the stories we pick to celebrate are meant to be encouraging for small business owners, making us friendly and approachable, " said Agarwal. Over 35% of the seller base from tier 4 regions The social e-commerce app is trying to reach the rural heartland of India. Over 35% of the Meesho seller base hailed from tier 4 regions. In June 2022 alone, there were 23,000 seller registrations – the highest ever from tier 4 cities. Mandi in Himachal Pradesh; Muzaffarnagar and Unnao in Uttar Pradesh; Buhana, Paota, and Kaman in Rajasthan are popular tier 4 business spots for Meesho. Nearly 41% of all Meesho sellers hail from tier 2+ regions such as Hisar, Panipat and Tiruppur, among others. According to a Bernstein report 2022, the sweet spot for e-commerce growth in India is from tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Meesho is outperforming Amazon and Flipkart when it comes to these cities, it reported. In spite of having 700,000 sellers on its platform, Amazon is yet to gain ground in a very important category in India — tier 2 and tier 3 markets. One of India's fastest e-commerce companies, Meesho is looking forward to expanding its portfolio to 100 million sellers with the upcoming festivities. The <keyword id="15066971" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="meesho-blockbuster-sale" source="Orion">Meesho blockbuster sale</keyword> beginning from 23rd September will offer products at prices that are 15% lower than that offered by the big e-commerce platforms, claims the company. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/doodlage-and-ecokaari-startups-are-converting-waste-into-bags-and-clothes/articleshow/94388327.cms">Fashion forward: These startups are converting waste into bags and clothes</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/most-indians-to-spend-more-than-10000-on-shopping-in-the-upcoming-festive-season-says-report/articleshow/94389278.cms">Most Indians to spend more than ₹10,000 on shopping in the upcoming festive season, says report</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/whatsapp-pay-india-head-mahatme-quits-likely-to-return-to-amazon-pay/articleshow/94378345.cms">WhatsApp Pay India head Mahatme quits, likely to return to Amazon Pay</a>

Online e-commerce player Meesho is the new crorepati factory

<ul><li>A yet to be published report puts <keyword id="6354947" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bitcoin" source="Orion">Bitcoin</keyword> amongst the top e-waste generators in the world.</li><li>Bitcoin generates 272 grams of e-waste per transaction processed on the blockchain.</li><li>Bitcoin’s energy consumption in 2021 has already surpassed that of 2020.</li></ul><keyword id="1660859" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bitcoin-mining" source="Orion">Bitcoin mining</keyword> uses a lot of energy — but that’s not the only environmental concern the community has to take into account. According to a new study by <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0921344921005103">Science Direct</a>, mining generates as much as 30.7 metric kilotons of e-waste every year as of May 2021. That’s comparable to small IT equipment waste produced by countries like the Netherlands. <div type="ExtQuote" text="“On average Bitcoin generates 272 grams of e-waste per transaction processed on the blockchain.”" auname="Excerpt from Science Direct report"></div> The bigger concern is that, unlike energy consumption which is minimal in comparison to other players, <a href="https://wazirx.com/signup?invite=2kpah6gr&amp;utm_source=business-insider&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=article-editorial">Bitcoin</a> amongst the world’s largest e-waste producers — including smartphones which were <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/07/repair-not-recycle-tackle-ewaste-circular-economy-smartphones/">estimated</a> to have contributed 50 million tonnes of waste in 2019, approximately 10% of the total global e-waste in the world at the time. The study indicated that Bitcoin could produce as much as 64.4 metric kilotons of e-waste, overall this year. “E-waste represents a growing threat to our environment, from toxic chemicals and heavy metals leaching into soils, to air and water pollution caused by improper recycling,” said the study. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Bitcoin’s energy consumption hasn’t reduced — its just moved out of China" comment="subhead" text="Bitcoin’s energy consumption hasn’t reduced — its just moved out of China">Bitcoin’s energy consumption hasn’t reduced — its just moved out of China</cmsannotation> Such large amounts of e-waste could be troublesome for the world’s largest <a href="https://wazirx.com/signup?invite=2kpah6gr&amp;utm_source=business-insider&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=article-editorial">Bitcoin miners</a> who have already run afoul of regulators in countries like China. According to a new <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/2021-s-btc-energy-use-passes-2020-s-new-study-suggests-each-tx-produces-272g-of-e-waste?utm_source=Telegram&amp;utm_medium=social">study</a> from Bloomberg, the <a href="https://wazirx.com/signup?invite=2kpah6gr&amp;utm_source=business-insider&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=microsite&amp;is_retargeting=false&amp;shortlink=BI&amp;c=site&amp;pid=Business%20Insider&amp;af_click_lookback=7d&amp;af_channel=Business%20Insider&amp;af_adset=article&amp;af_force_deeplink=true">Bitcoin Network</a> has already consumed 91 terawatt-hours (TW/h) within the first of 2021 — surpassing the 67 TW/h it consumed in all of 2021, in line with the 95.68 TW/h consumption estimated by the Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index (<a href="https://cbeci.org/cbeci/comparisons">CBECI</a>). China’s crackdown on Bitcoin miners earlier this year led some of the world’s largest miners, including Huobi Global and BTC.TOP, to halt their operations in the country. While this led to a drop in the total hashrate under 90 million terahashes in July, it has been on the rise since. And, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/cryptocurrency/news/chinas-crackdown-on-crypto-slashed-competition-for-north-american-bitcoin-miners-and-earnings-are-soaring-to-record-highs-as-a-result/articleshow/85716028.cms">miners in North America</a> have had the post to gain from China’s crackdowns. Blockchain.com <a href="https://www.blockchain.com/charts/miners-revenue">puts</a> the total hashrate at around 132.771 million terahashes right now. To be fair, Bitcoin’s total e-waste production is still only 0.11% of the global estimate, according to Statista.com. However, the fact that platforms like Ethereum and Cardano have been cutting energy consumption by as much as 99% could make statistics like this troublesome for the world’s most valuable cryptocurrency. <a href="https://forum.businessinsider.in/">For a more in-depth discussion, come on over to Business Insider Cryptosphere</a> — a forum where users can deep dive into all things crypto, engage in interesting discussions and stay ahead of the curve. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/cryptocurrency/news/google-apple-and-facebook-may-face-competition-from-ethereum-in-the-battle-for-user-data/articleshow/86194538.cms">Google, Apple and Facebook move aside — Ethereum will offer users control over their data with a new sign-in method</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/cryptocurrency/news/the-top-three-cryptocurrencies-have-fallen-by-15-percent-in-last-one-week-but-shiba-inu-coins-are-thriving/slidelist/86191614.cms">The top three cryptocurrencies have fallen by 15 percent in last one week — but Shiba Inu coins are thriving</a>

Bitcoin mining isn't just consuming energy, it's also generating 272 grams of e-waste with every transaction

<ul><li>India generates about 2 million tonnes of <keyword id="6361522" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="E-waste">e-waste</keyword> annually. </li><li>Out of this only about half a million is recycled. </li><li>Maharashtra is the highest contributor to e-waste generated in India.</li></ul>The Associated Chambers of Commerce &amp; Industry of India (ASSOCHAM-NEC) on the World Environment Day (5 June) this year published a <a href="http://www.assocham.org/newsdetail.php?id=6850">report</a> which ranked India among the top five countries generating e-waste. Despite government schemes such as the <keyword id="2517872" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Swachh-Bharat-Abhiyan">Swachh Bharat Abhiyan</keyword> and the <keyword id="2421305" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Smart-City-project">Smart City project</keyword>, India continues to hold its position as one of the top e-waste generating countries. The other countries high on the list are China, USA, Japan and Germany. India generates about two million tonnes of e-waste per year and recycles about 438,085 tonnes annually. Maharastra is the largest contributor, accounting for 19.8% of the e-waste produced, but only recycles about 47,810 tonnes of that per year. According to the study, here’s how the other states fare on the production and recycle scale. All figures are annual ones: <ul><li>Tamil Nadu accounts for 13% and recycles about 52,425</li><li>Uttar Pradesh accounts for 10.1% and recycles about 86,130</li><li>West Bengal accounts for 9.8%</li><li>Delhi accounts for 9.5%</li><li>Karnataka accounts for 8.9 %</li><li>Gujarat accounts for 8.8% </li><li>Madhya Pradesh accounts for 7.6%</li></ul> So, what exactly IS e-waste? Discarded electronics like computers, motherboards, circuit chips, printed circuit boards, mobile phones, data storage devices, TVs, refrigerators, headphones, display screens etc...all come under the e-waste category. Unsafe <keyword id="114175" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="recycling">recycling</keyword> and disposal of such e-waste emits chemicals and pollutants. High and prolonged exposure to these by-products can damage a person's nervous system, blood, kidneys and impair brain development. The pollutants can also cause respiratory disorders, skin diseases, bronchitis, lung cancer, heart, liver and spleen damage, says the report. “The sad part is that a mere 5% of India's total e-waste gets recycled due to poor infrastructure, legislation and framework which lead to a waste of diminishing natural resources, irreparable damage of environment and health of the people working in the industry. Over 95% of e-waste generated is managed by the unorganised sector and scrap dealers in this market, dismantle the disposed of products instead of recycling it,” the report added. The global e-waste is expected to increase upto 52.2 million tonnes or 6.8kg per individual by 2021 for 44.7 million tonnes reported in 2016. The net worth of all the e-waste present exceeds $61 billion as of 2016. This is more than the GDP of most of the countries in the world.

Trashing up: India produces more e-waste than most of the world, says report

In a huge blow, Indian government rejected <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=apple&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Apple’s</a> plan to import and sell <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=second+hand+phones&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">second-hand phones</a> in the country, a move to curb dumping e-waste. 
 This can be a setback for <keyword id="6354427" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Apple">Apple</keyword>, which sees India as a bright spot and was mulling to increase the sales of its <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=iphones&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">iPhones</a> under its expansion plans. 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=tim+cook&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Apple CEO Tim Cook</a> is looking to focus the US-based company’s energies in India, a nation in which the <keyword id="6354606" type="COMPANY" weightage="40" keywordseo="iPhone">iPhone</keyword> maker saw gains despite a global decline in 13 years. 
 
READ ALSO: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Apple-is-focusing-all-its-energy-in-India-like-never-before-as-Tim-Cook-sees-huge-market/articleshow/52091378.cms">Apple is focusing all its energy in India like never before as Tim Cook sees huge market</a> 
 
Earlier, the Department of Electronics and Information Technology had red flagged Apple’s plans to sell refurbished iPhones as it would contribute to e-waste dumping. 
 
Apple is aggressively competing with market leader <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=samsung&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Samsung</a>. 
 
Cook had said India is important for the technology giant and it is "really putting energy" in the South Asian nation that will begin rolling out high-speed wireless broadband networks this year. 
 
"India will be the most populous country in the world in 2022. India today has about 50% of their population at 25 years of age or younger. It's a very young country. People really want smartphones there," he said.

You Searched For "e waste dumping in India" and got 13 results

India plans repairability index for mobile, electronics to tackle e-waste

PTI

India is the Biggest Dumping Ground for E-Waste. Here's How Teens Recycle It

Insider

India's refurbished smartphone market witnesses accelerated growth

Sourabh Jain

Microsoft's Windows 10 support end could turn 240 mn PCs into e-waste

IANS

Developing countries like India bear the brunt of global e-waste

Prabhjote Gill

We’re drowning in electronic waste because we buy new devices too soon and don't recycle old stuff fast enough

Tim Paradis

Samsung’s recycled parts programme might make your phone repairs up to 50% cheaper

Sourabh Jain

Amazon's plastic packaging was reportedly found thousands of miles away at illegal dump sites in India

Aaron Mok

200 Indian companies register for extended producer responsibility for plastic packaging

IANS

Online e-commerce player Meesho is the new crorepati factory

Eetika Kapoor

Bitcoin mining isn't just consuming energy, it's also generating 272 grams of e-waste with every transaction

BI India Bureau

Trashing up: India produces more e-waste than most of the world, says report

BI India Bureau

India puts brakes on Apple’s plans to import and sell second-hand phones

BI India Bureau

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