Authors : Farhana Islam; Amrik Bhattacharya; Chandra Mukherjee; Amitlal Bhattacharya

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 4 - April

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/ycyb9r9v

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/2rkaks4j

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26apr2276

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : This study examines household-level e-waste generation and management practices in West Bengal, India, based on a primary survey of 145 households conducted through Google Forms. The trend analysis of secondary data reveals that while India’s total e-waste generation peaked at 1,751,236 tons in 2023–24, the formal processing rate has improved significantly, rising from 26.33% in 2020–21 to over 82.91% by 2024–25. In West Bengal, the primary e-waste load consists of rapidly replaced small devices such as mobile phones, chargers, cables, and lighting equipment. The findings reveal a "hibernation" trend where households store obsolete electronic devices for extended periods due to perceived future utility or lack of accessible disposal options. Despite a relatively high level of awareness regarding environmental risks, disposal practices are dominated by informal recycling channels, such as kabadiwalas, driven by ease of access and economic incentives. The study identifies a critical behavioural gap between awareness and actual formal disposal. To bridge this, a conceptual behavioural model is proposed, emphasizing the need for improved infrastructure, effective implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and the formal integration of informal actors to ensure a sustainable e-waste management system in West Bengal.

Keywords : E-Waste; Informal Recycling; Storage Behaviour; Sustainable Waste Management.

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