India has collected 2,570.26 metric tonnes of EV battery waste in three years. The government has enforced strict EPR rules to ensure proper recycling and launched a centralized portal for waste management.
Over the past three years, recyclers in India have collected 2,570.26 metric tonnes of lithium-ion waste batteries from electric vehicles (EVs), the government informed Parliament on Thursday. Union Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh shared this information in the Rajya Sabha in response to a query by Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury. However, the minister did not disclose the total amount of lithium-ion waste batteries generated from EVs during this period.
Singh revealed that India generated 4,988,672 metric tonnes of electronic waste between 2021 and 2023. He warned that improper disposal of waste batteries could lead to severe soil and water contamination. To address this concern, the government introduced the Battery Waste Management Rules in August 2022, which apply to all types of batteries, including those used in EVs, portable devices, automobiles, and industrial applications.
The rules are based on the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, mandating that battery producers, including importers, collect, recycle, or refurbish waste batteries. The disposal of batteries in landfills or through incineration is strictly prohibited, and producers must incorporate a minimum percentage of domestically recycled materials into the production of new batteries.
To ensure effective implementation, the government has launched a centralized online EPR portal for the registration of producers, recyclers, and refurbishers. The portal facilitates EPR certificate exchanges and return filings, making battery waste management more streamlined and transparent. This initiative aims to boost India's recycling ecosystem and promote sustainable waste management practices.
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