Good morning, good afternoon, judges, and everyone present today.

We are here to discuss

This clip is from the movie Wall-E, and it offers a glimpse into the challenges we face. In the
scene, the main character, Wall-E, is shown managing waste. His condition—covered in dust
and rusted parts—serves as a powerful metaphor for the reality many waste management
workers face daily. These workers, who perform one of the most crucial jobs, often do so under
difficult and hazardous conditions.

"Good day, everyone. We, Atharva and Ayushmaan, are here to present our research paper on
the topic of Innovating Sustainability: Leveraging Blockchain Technology for Sustainable E-
Waste Management in India. By the end of our presentation, you will have a clear
understanding of the current state of e waste in the world, the challenges posed by it and why
a discussion around it is the need of the hour. Additionally, we will present solutions to the
challenges posed.
t
with the rising population and rapid technological advancements, e-waste is increasing at an
alarming rate. In India, e-waste surged by 73%, from 1.01 million metric tonnes in 2019-20
to 1.751 million metric tonnes by 2023-24. Globally, e-waste grew by 82% since 2010, with
62 million tonnes generated in 2022, and is expected to reach 82 million tonnes by 2030.
Shockingly less than 20% of e-waste is formally recycled, with most of it either ending up in
landfills or being processed informally,

2nd- The constant upgrade frenzy leads consumers to replace their devices frequently,
moreover Technology is ever-evolving, with new gadgets and features being introduced every
year, pushing people to buy the latest models. Additionally, as incomes rises, the need and
wants of people also rise.

3rd slide

E-waste contains harmful components like lead, mercury, and cadmium, that pollute the
soil, contaminate water, and pollute the air. Workers handling e-waste, especially in the
informal sector, face serious occupational health risks, including exposure to carcinogenic
substances and respiratory diseases. These hidden dangers make it critical to address e-waste
management and its impact.

4th slide –

E-waste is not just a problem—it is a valuable economic resource. In fact, the (ROI) for gold
recovery from e-waste is higher than traditional gold mines. we can harness its economic
potential by recovering precious metals like gold, silver and copper. By focusing on e-waste
recycling, we can transform a growing crisis into a thriving industry, create jobs and boost the
economy.

It was said by THAT E-WASTE RECYCLING SECTOR WOULD CREATE JOBS TO A

5th slide –

While the legislature has made laws, there exists lacunae in its implementation. E-waste
management rules 2022, which was affected from 2023, have expanded the scope of e-waste.
It has also come up with the mandate of EPR compliance that is extended producer
responsibility. Even though the informal sector handles 90% of e waste in India there exists
no legislation safeguarding them.

6th slide

Developed nations often export e-waste as second-hand goods to avoid disposal costs and
regulation, The Basel Convention was established to regulate hazardous waste exports, and
the Basel Ban Amendment (2019) prohibits developed nations from sending such waste to
countries with limited disposal capacity. However, India, the U.S., and China are yet to ratify
this amendment, allowing these imports of e-waste to continue. Lack of commitment from
developed nations undermines global efforts to manage e-waste.

7th slide –

So, how do we solve the growing e-waste problem? Well, there are some interesting global
initiatives already in place that we can learn from. The EU's "one charger fits all" rule aims to
have one single charger for every device. There is also a need for robust policy framework and
public awareness around the same is also critical.
Technology has the ability to enhance these efforts.

the day before yesterday, while I was coming from the Lucknow Central to this college, I saw
a traffic police officer clicking a picture of the violator of the law, and he must have sent him
either a fine receipt . This has made us realize that automation can lead to better governance.
better efficiency in services, better accountability of the government, and all the participants.

Now, we are going to understand the relevance of blockchain to tackle this challenge.

8th

Blockchain is a decentralized digital ledger that securely records transactions or events shared
among participants. Every transaction is collectively verified by the majority of users in the
network, ensuring the system remains trustworthy and robust. By utilizing technologies like
smart contracts and the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS), blockchain enhances
traceability and accountability.

9th

The diagram might seem complex at first, but it can be easily understood with a simple
example. For this example, I have used my name and my co-author's name for better clarity
and elaboration.

In this example, we have Apple as the Manufacturer, which sells electronic devices through a
network of suppliers and Retailers to the end consumer. Atharva, in this scenario, is the
Customer. When Atharva decides to dispose of his device, he can drop it into a e-waste center,
which helps track e-waste in real time.

From there, the waste moves to a Waste Collection Center, where it is gathered and sorted. The
devices collected are examined to determine whether they or any of their parts can be recycled.
Accordingly, the device will either be sent to the Recycling Center. To protect the privacy of
the device owner, all data will first be permanently deleted. After this, our contractor,
Ayushmaan, handles the shipment of e-waste to either a Waste Recycling Plant for reuse or a
Data Destruction Unit for secure disposal.

Now, here’s where blockchain technology comes in:

 The devices will also be assigned a specific ID to track their lifespan and initiate the e-
waste management process.

 Every step, from disposal to processing, is securely recorded on the blockchain using
IPFS, ensuring transparency, accountability, and protection against data tampering.

 The Municipality/Civic bodies will play a key role by registering participants and
ensuring compliance.

In the diagram we can see all the key stake holders involved in the blockchain. The system
enables real-time tracking of shipment locations, ensuring secure and transparent waste
movement. It also records ownership changes at every stage, holding stakeholders
accountable.

10th slide –

Bridging the gap between India's informal and formal sectors is essential to address the e-
waste crisis. The informal sector manages about 90% of e-waste, particularly in remote areas,
but workers often lack training and safety measures. Training in safe recycling practices can
enhance productivity and protect their [Link] strategy is not just a solution; it is the only
solution for India. The informal sector’s role as a last-mile connector makes it crucial to the e-
waste management system. Bridging this gap through training and government support is
necessary to create a safer, more efficient, and sustainable framework for all.

LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST WE WOULD LIKE TO QUOTE JOHN KEATS

PETTY IS DONE AND UNDONE IS VAST.

THANKYOU