A Mixed-Methods Field Investigation of Formal and Informal Systems in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh (A Case of E-Waste Management in Mid-Sized Indian Cities)

Abstract

The rapid growth of electronic waste (e-waste) has become a serious challenge for environmental governance and sustainable waste management, especially in low- and middle-income countries where formal recycling infrastructure remains underdeveloped. This research paper is based on a three-day field study conducted in July 2025 in Rewa, a medium-sized city in Madhya Pradesh, India, to understand the on‑ground realities of e-waste management. The study used direct observation, semi-structured interviews, and photographic documentation. Twelve different sites were studied, including the municipal waste transfer hub, scrap dealer godowns, electronic repair shops, computer vendors, and brand-authorized showrooms; the entire flow of e-waste from generation to final destination was mapped. The findings reveal a dual system. On one hand, a formal public-private partnership operating under a twenty-year contract manages about ninety metric tons of municipal solid waste daily through source-level segregation and waste-to-energy conversion. On the other hand, a strong informal sector consisting of wandering waste collectors, repair technicians, and scrap dealers handles most of the e-waste but works without safety standards, environmental compliance, or proper documentation. The study found that at the local repair level, useful components from televisions, computers, and mobile phones are systematically extracted and reused. The remaining e-waste is sent in bulk to unregulated markets in Delhi and Indore, where prices range from approximately ten to five hundred fifty rupees per unit. Additionally, no special recycling arrangement was found for the plastic casings of electronic devices; they eventually end up in the city’s general waste stream. This research shows that the coexistence of formal and informal systems is not a problem in itself. What is needed is effective policy‑based integration between them so that health risks can be reduced, material value can be better recovered, and compliance with national e‑waste rules can be ensured. The paper offers the following policy suggestions, establishing a dedicated e‑waste collection centre at the city level, training informal workers in safe dismantling techniques, and creating an economic incentive system to channel e‑waste to authorised recyclers.

Keywords: Electronic waste, Informal recycling, Public-private partnership, Waste-to-energy, Circular economy, E-Waste in Rewa (India)