Recycling Is India’s Critical Minerals ‘Gold Mine’

Why It Matters

Tapping India’s informal recycling networks could unlock a large domestic supply of critical minerals for industry while cutting pollution and worker harm, creating both environmental benefits and commercial opportunities for companies that can formalize and scale recovery. Robust integration under EPR frameworks will be key to turning informal waste streams into reliable, responsible feedstocks.

Summary

Speakers say India’s informal recycling sector, which handled about 99% of electronic waste before extended producer responsibility (EPR) rules, is a vital but hazardous source of critical minerals and materials. Informal operators use primitive, polluting processes—open burning and acid treatments—that harm workers and the environment and shorten lifespans. Companies like Exigo position themselves as bridges between informal collectors and formal downstream vendors to organize circularity, improve safety, and channel recovered materials into formal supply chains. Formalizing and integrating the sector is presented as a practical path to scale recycling while reducing pollution and health risks.

Original Description

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India is cashing in on its growing e-waste sector. Minerals like lithium and cobalt are being extracted from discarded electronics to help meet demand from manufacturers of products ranging from smartphones and jets to electric cars. And as global jitters over China’s dominance in critical minerals has sent demand soaring, “urban mining” is estimated to be worth up to US$6 billion annually.

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