I was wrong about India's recycling opportunity.
One conversation completely changed my perspective.
Recently, I posted about India's $3.5B recycling opportunity.
The opportunity is real. But the ground reality is much harder.
An insightful discussion with Rahul Gogi from
Recyclekaro changed my perspective on this.
Before discussing the challenges,
We must know what an EV gives back. ♻️
Battery → Lithium, Nickel, Cobalt, Graphite.
Motor → Neodymium, Praseodymium,
Dysprosium, Terbium, copper and Aluminium.
Power Electronics & ECUs
→ Gold, Silver, Palladium, Precious metals
Displays & Chargers → Indium, Gallium, Silver, Copper
These materials are too valuable to waste.
But today's recycling ecosystem struggles
with the following bottlenecks.
🪫 The first challenge is buying the feedstock.
Feedstock is not free in India. Recyclers pay OEMs.
They also pay collection and transport costs.
The recycling journey starts with a cost.
Unfortunately, producers do not
share this responsibility in India.
🪫 Second, nearly 90% of e-waste remains informal.
Unsafe processing loses critical materials.
It also risks worker safety.
🪫 E-waste is still seen as a regulatory burden.
It should be driven by environmental responsibility.
We should protect India's Critical mineral supply.
I always thought recyclers were paid to collect waste.
I was surprised to learn they first pay for the
Feedstock and then bear the transport cost.
I believe a few practical changes can
Transform India's recycling ecosystem.
Producers should also share collection responsibility.
Formal recyclers need stronger incentives.
The informal sector needs stricter enforcement.
India also needs a nationwide collection network.
Clear recycled-content targets can accelerate adoption.
Only then can we build a strong circular economy.
Every kilogram of lithium or rare earths lost today
Becomes another kilogram India imports tomorrow.
The first wave of retired EV batteries is approaching.
India must build recycling capacity before it arrives. 🔋
If you could change just one policy to
Strengthen India's EV recycling ecosystem,
what would it be and why?
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