An Integrated Model for E-waste Management in India Using Systems Thinking

• Published in: Management and labour studies Vol. 41; no. 1; pp. 45 - 57
• Main Authors: Jayaprakash, Parvathi, Pillai, R. Radhakrishna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Delhi, India SAGE Publications 01-02-2016; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Electronic waste; Informal economy; India; systems thinking; E-waste management system; causal loop diagram; India; stock and flow diagram
• ISSN: 0258-042X; 2321-0710
• DOI: 10.1177/0258042X16649464

This article proposes a model for managing e-waste in India using systems thinking approach. The plot of the article begins by the idea of reducing the environmental pollution caused by e-waste in the hands of the informal sector. This can be done by formalizing the disposal stage of the electronic products. The idea can reap results when the registered e-waste agencies be a part of the supply chain activities and thereby ensures reverse logistics model of handling e-waste. Currently, the amount of e-waste generated in the country is higher than the total capacity of the registered recyclers in the country. Even then, most of the recyclers are not functioning at full capacity, which is counter intutive. The government norms are not commanding which leads this waste becoming hazardous to human health. The article uses system dynamics approach proposing one solution to reduce this menace. The causal loop diagram gives a holistic picture of the problem in hand and the stock and flow diagram validates the integrated model of e-waste management system.