Seelampur, located in East Delhi, is the largest e-waste dismantling and recycling market in India. It is considered the country’s largest illegal "dump yard" and informal processing hub, with over 50,000 workers handling hundreds of metric tons of hazardous electronic waste daily.
Seelampur is a neighborhood in Shahdra Delhi, India and one of the subdivisions of North East Delhi district. The neighborhood is the largest processor of e-waste in India. As of 2025, approximately 30,000 tonnes of e-waste is processed in the neighborhood daily, employing nearly 50,000 workers to extract scrap.
In 2022, China generated 12 million tonnes of e-waste, making it the largest contributor to global electronic waste, accounting for approximately 19.4% of the world's 62 million tonnes.
Current Scenario: India has emerged as the world's third-largest generator of e-waste after China and the USA, with 3.8 MMT (million metric tonnes) produced in FY24. India's e-waste volumes soared by 151.03% in six years (2017-24).
Inside one of India’s largest e-waste markets I Al Jazeera Newsfeed
What is the ranking of India in e-waste?
India ranks as the world's third-largest e-waste producer, following the United States and China. In the fiscal year 2022, India generated approximately 1.6 million tons of electronic waste, with projections indicating a surge to 29 million tons by 2030.
Eco Recycling Ltd (Ecoreco) is the India's 1st and leading E-waste management company, offering end-to-end solutions of Reverse Logistics, Data Destruction, Information Technology Asset Disposition (ITAD), Recycling of E-waste, Lamp Recycling, Precious Metal Recovery, implementation of EPR and CSR initiatives, ...
We visited the Asha centre in the slum of Seelampur (Fig. 1), a suburban part of East Delhi, across the River Yamuna. According to the census in India 2011 [2], Seelampur has a population of 1.3 million. The Asha centre caters to a small slum population in the area.
Lajpat Nagar, also known as Central Market is the cheap market in Delhi. It stocks a variety of trendy textile and garments, accessories, footwear, bags, etc, especially for female shoppers at very good prices.
Khan Market is one of the fanciest places to shop in Delhi. Being one of the costliest markets in the country, it is preferred by diplomats and the city's influential crowd. It is home to many fashion boutiques, bookstores, opticians, homewares & cafes.
Indore has not been surpassed by any other city for 7 consecutive years. Not only that, in 2022, it became India's first “Seven-star Certified Waste-Free City.” in 2023, Indore topped in the national ranking of “clean air cities” with 1 million plus population.
The top 10 plastic recycling companies are Pluto Intero, Rosuni, ReCircle, Ecoreco, Antony Waste Handling Cell, Namo eWaste Management, Saahas Zero Waste, Indorama Ventures, Attero Recycling and Gravita India.
Indore is a “zero-landfill city” that processes 100% of its 1,900 tonnes of daily waste. A key research finding on its model points to its “waste-to-wealth” success.
In 2023, the leading exporters of E-waste and scrap were United States ($838M), Netherlands ($310M), and Germany ($167M). In the same year, the main importers of E-waste and scrap were Japan ($783M), Mexico ($354M), and India ($343M).
The UK hosts several e-waste recycling facilities that specialise in the safe and environmentally friendly processing of electronic waste. These facilities play a crucial role in recycling valuable materials and reducing the environmental impact of computer waste.
India currently ranks third among the largest generators of e-waste globally, behind only China and the US. The volume of e-waste in India has witnessed a significant surge to 1.6 million tonnes in 2021-22.
Germany doesn't mess around. With over 65% of its waste recycled, it's the undisputed leader. Germany has a no-nonsense government policy when it comes to recycling, and tough laws make separating waste non-negotiable.
Agbogbloshie is a former wetland, which is now home to one of the world's largest electronic waste dumps. Here, young men and boys smash and burn electronic devices to salvage the metals inside them".
On June 10, 2025, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced the development of India's first electronic waste (e-waste) eco park in Holambi Kalan, North Delhi. This initiative marks a significant step in addressing e-waste management in the national capital.
The India e-waste management market is valued at USD 1.88 billion in 2025. West India holds the largest 29% share, thanks to its manufacturing density and port infrastructure. Industrial equipment e-waste is projected to grow at an 8.9% CAGR between 2025 and 2030.
Which recycling business is most profitable in India?
Among them, the plastic recycling business stands out as one of the most profitable and purpose-driven ventures. As environmental concerns grow and government regulations tighten, investors are realizing that recycling isn't just good for the planet — it's good business.
