Untapped Knowledge in India’s E-Waste Industry

This book focuses on the economic, political, and cultural factors that make up India’s “informal processors,” which are the highly networked, multi-generational systems that reuse, repurpose, and otherwise dispose of 80% of India’s electronic waste. The research includes insight from more than ninety interviews with forty-nine key stakeholders working within India’s e-waste processing industry.

This vital resource explores the complexities of the e-waste industry, and it comprehensively explains the importance of developing context-specific solutions that leverage the inherent strengths of informal processors. The resulting resource offers a counterpoint to mainstream arguments that dismiss the value of expertise from informal processors.

“Krishnan’s research makes a compelling case for designing e-waste policies in collaboration with informal processors by recognizing and valuing their system. A similar case can, and should, be made for the informal economy in general, not just in the e-waste sector or in India. This is an important and timely book!” (—Martha Alter Chen, International Coordinator, WIEGO; Lecturer in Urban Planning and Design at the Graduate School of Design, Harvard University)

“For decades policy that ignores its own necessary preconditions has generated unintended side effects, as demonstrated by the thunderclaps of demonetisation, GST, labour and farm law reforms. So recent high-stakes policies for the formalisation of India’s huge informal economy have become contentious. Krishnan’s study of e-waste, its informal recycling and circular reprocessing - and of new policy to formalise it - provides granular evidence of unintended policy effects and of the paradoxical wasteof the very human and material resources that the policy seeks to develop. A must-read for wastistas and for policy scholars and practitioners.” (—Barbara Harriss-White, Professor Emeritus of Development Studies, Emeritus Fellow of Wolfson College, and Senior Research Fellow, School of Interdisciplinary Area Studies, University of Oxford)

“Most of India’s e-waste is recycled by the so-called informal processors, a highly functional network of specialists, who handle e-waste as small family businesses. India’s current e-waste law based on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), favours formal processors, and creates barriers for informal processing. Its implementation has led to chaotic and economically inefficient scenarios. Krishnan’s research argues for restructuring the EPR-based law to account for the ground reality. More generally, it raises questions about both the informal (and occasionally unsafe), and the formal (and often bureaucratic), approaches towaste management in the Global South, where a large fraction of the world’s waste may have to be processed in the coming decades.” (—Nitin Joglekar, Associate Professor of Operations and Technology Management, Boston University and Departmental Editor, Production and Operations Management)

“This is a groundbreaking book that challenges conventional thinking and sheds light on the untapped potential within India's electronic waste industry. Krishnan's meticulous research and insightful analysis reveal how the informal sector, which has been thriving for centuries, embodies the principles of a circular economy. This work not only exposes the flaws in formalization policies but also makes a compelling case for leveraging the strengths of informal processors to drive economic and environmental gains. It is a must-read for those interested in sustainable development and e-waste management in India and other emerging economies. Additionally, the book would be a valuable resource for doctoral-level methods courses, serving as an excellent example of immersive field research.” (—Rajiv Kozhikode, Associate Professor for International Business and Management & Organization Studies, Beedie School of Business, Simon Fraser University)

“Informal sector e-waste processing in India is shrouded by secrecy due to the many illegalities involved. It is in this difficult and complex context that Krishnan has conducted a rare and intensive field study to learn how the informal sector has created knowledge to become effective and efficient while the formal sector is plagued by losses. Highly recommended for policy makers, managers, and researchers.” (—Ganesh N Prabhu, Professor of Strategy, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore)

“Dr. Krishnan’s research extends the boundaries of knowledge in sustainable operations management by including rich operational details from India’s e-waste recycling industry and discussing how an appropriate public policy needs to be crafted. The research methodology exemplifies the best practices for conducting qualitative field-based operations management research that integrates theories from multiple disciplines.” (—Kalyan Singhal, McCurdy Professor of Business, University of Baltimore; Editor-in-Chief, Production and Operations Management and Founder and Co-Editor-in-Chief, Management and Business Review)

“This book offers unique insights into e-waste management and guides policy makers in recognizing the highly functional systems of informal processors. It is a must-read book for those working on e-waste, which is the need of the hour.” (—S Nayana Tara, Former Professor, Centre for Public Policy, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore)

“This book makes the important point that attention to how informal economies function is crucial forsuccessful recycling policies. It is a valuable contribution to sustainability policy studies.” (—Carl Zimring, Professor of Sustainability Studies, Pratt Institute; author of Cash for Your Trash)

T. S. Krishnan is an independent scholar with expertise working across disciplines such as supply chain management, ethnography, and sustainability. He has served as a visiting faculty member at the Indian Institute of Management Nagpur and Ashoka University. Krishnan has worked in industries including sales enablement, data science, artificial intelligence, and product management. His research on informal economy, waste management, artificial intelligence, enterprise software, radiation epidemiology, and environmental sustainability has been published in international academic journals and conferences. He received his PhD from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore.