Delhi MCD To Hire New Agencies For E Waste Management Drive
New Delhi: In a decisive move towards sustainable waste management, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has initiated the process of hiring new agencies to collect, transport, and dispose of electronic waste (e-waste) across the city. The initiative aims to curb the growing environmental threat posed by informal e-waste handling and to align the capital’s waste systems with India’s green and zero-carbon vision.
Delhi, which produces nearly 2.3 lakh metric tonnes of e-waste annually, contributes about 10 per cent of India’s total e-waste generation. However, most of this hazardous material is still processed informally, often in unsafe conditions that release toxic chemicals into the air, soil, and groundwater.Senior civic officials confirmed that the MCD has floated a Request for Proposal (RFP) to empanel concessionaires for the management of e-waste in line with the E-Waste Management Rules, 2022. The selected agencies will be responsible for building an integrated collection and processing network, setting up modern recycling units, and coordinating with resident welfare associations (RWAs), NGOs, market bodies, and self-help groups to promote responsible disposal practices.
Officials said that the new system will also include field surveys to map e-waste hotspots and identify informal processing clusters. The civic body aims to replace these unsafe hubs with authorised recycling centres equipped with scientific treatment and recovery facilities. The bidding process is expected to conclude by mid-November, with contracts lasting one year initially.Experts believe this move marks a turning point in Delhi’s waste management strategy. “E-waste contains hazardous materials like lead, mercury, cadmium, and lithium, which can harm both human health and the environment,” said a senior environmental consultant involved in the city’s circular economy initiatives. Improper disposal, experts warn, can cause severe damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, and respiratory systems, while contaminating soil and water sources.
Currently, the MCD operates a limited e-waste collection mechanism based on public requests, with only 500 to 800 pickups per month, representing a fraction of the city’s waste output. Officials say that awareness among residents has been low, but the new plan will include a public outreach component to educate citizens and encourage community-led participation in safe waste disposal.Once implemented, the programme will cover residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial zones, ensuring comprehensive management of recyclable and scrap materials. By formalising e-waste collection and promoting certified recycling, the MCD hopes to reduce Delhi’s environmental footprint and move closer to its goal of becoming a cleaner, more circular city.As Delhi steps up its green transition, the initiative underscores a vital shift in urban governance one that places environmental health, public participation, and sustainability at the heart of civic administration.
