Delhi to become e‑waste recycling hub with India's first eco‑park. Know details

India Today

11-06-2025

The Delhi government has unveiled plans to build India's first dedicated ewaste ecopark in Holambi Kalan. Spanning 11.4 acres, the facility will be developed under a public–private partnership (PPP) spanning 15 years, following a global tender led by the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC).The facility is designed to process up to 51,000 tonnes of ewaste annually, covering all 106 categories under the EWaste Management Rules 2022.advertisementWith an estimated Rs 350 crore revenue stream, construction is scheduled for completion in 18 months, aiming to manage 25 per cent of Delhi's ewaste volume within five years.A CURCULAR ECONOMY GAME-CHANGER
India ranks as the world's thirdlargest generator of ewaste, producing over 1.6 million tonnes annually, with Delhi accounting for approximately 9.5 per cent of this total.Current recycling efforts remain largely informal; just 17.4 per cent of global ewaste is recycled, resulting in resource loss and environmental damage.The Holambi Kalan ecopark will usher in a safe, regulated, and hightech ecosystem, featuring distinct zones for dismantling, refurbishing, component testing, plastic recovery, and a secondhand electronics market.The initiative supports Delhi's transition toward a circular economy, where endoflife devices are repurposed, raw materials recovered, and landfill dependency reduced.IMPLEMENTATIONGlobal tender: DSIIDC will issue an RFQcumRFP to attract top greentech partnersConstruction timeline: Completion projected within 18 monthsConcession period: Operated under a DBFOT model for 15 yearsFunding: Total investment estimated at Rs 500 crore, with Rs 150 crore earmarked for setup and Rs 350 crore for operationsSUSTAINABILITY MEETS PUBLIC HEALTHadvertisementBy centralising ewaste processing and formalising operations, Delhi's ecopark will significantly reduce environmental pollution caused by informal recycling.Currently, toxins from crude ewaste handling contaminate air, soil, and water and pose serious health risks, especially to vulnerable groups like children.Additionally, recovery of precious metals, copper, lithium, rare earths, will reduce import dependence and conserve natural resources.With only 17.4 per cent of electronic waste currently recycled worldwide, this ecopark aims to flip the script on inefficient waste disposal.