Page 28 - Plastics News November 2025
P. 28
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
INDIA PUSHES FOR E-WASTE RECYCLING TO
RECOVER CRITICAL MINERALS
out received a positive response from
stakeholders, with several expressing in-
terest in participating. Under the scheme,
eligible feedstock includes e-waste, used
lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), and catalytic
converters from end-of-life vehicles. Data
from the ministry shows that India gener-
ates about 1.75 million tonnes of e-waste
and 60 kilo tonnes of spent LIBs every
year. With customs duty on LIB scrap
removed in the 2025–26 Union Budget,
imports of such material are expected to
rise, broadening recycling opportunities
over the next four to five years. Feed-
ndia is gearing up to transform its electronic stock collection will also strengthen un-
waste into a major source of critical minerals, der the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Ias the ministry of mines intensifies collabo- framework, which makes producers accountable
ration with private players to build large-scale for collecting and recycling e-waste and battery
recycling capacity across the country. The min- waste. At present, most of the material known
istry is working closely with private industry to as “black mass,” a powder containing valuable
expand the country’s recycling capacity, aiming metals, is exported because of limited domestic
to fully process electronic waste and recover processing capacity. The new incentive scheme
critical minerals within the next few years, it said will specifically support recyclers engaged in
in a press release issued on Friday. This initia- mineral extraction, including lithium, cobalt, and
tive follows the Union Cabinet’s approval of a Rs nickel, while encouraging dismantlers, crushers,
1,500 crore Incentive Scheme for Critical Mineral and shredders to join the formal recycling chain.
Recycling on September 3, which is an impor- Only a small number of companies in India cur-
tant part of the National Critical Mineral Mission. rently operate full end-to-end, or R4, recycling
The scheme seeks to promote the recovery of systems capable of converting battery scrap into
key materials through recycling, reducing India’s metals. To enable wider participation, incentives
dependence on imports.After consultations with have been capped at Rs 50 crore for large recy-
industry representatives, the ministry issued clers and Rs 25 crore for smaller ones. The min-
detailed guidelines for the scheme on October istry said the programme will enhance recycling
2.The application process also began the same capability through proven technologies such as
day. According to the statement, the quick roll-
28 PLASTICS NEWS November 2025
