Authors: Elduri Hari Pratap
Abstract: The escalating global challenge of e-waste, driven by rapid technological advancements and increasing consumption, poses significant environmental and health risks. In India, a major contributor to global e-waste, the public sector presents a unique and critical context for sustainable IT waste management due given its vast procurement scale and inherent operational complexities. This paper aims to meticulously identify and analyze the pervasive challenges encountered by public organizations in selected Indian states—Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Telangana—in effectively managing their IT waste. Leveraging a qualitative, multi-case study approach, involving semi-structured interviews with key departmental stakeholders and comprehensive document analysis, the study uncovers critical gaps in awareness, infrastructure, policy implementation, and budgetary allocation. Drawing upon these empirical findings, and informed by over two decades of professional experience in IT and Public Governance, a novel and pragmatic Departmental Assessment Model is proposed. This model offers a structured framework for public departments to evaluate their current IT waste management practices, identify areas for improvement, and ensure greater compliance and sustainability. The research contributes significantly to the body of knowledge on e-waste management in developing nations and provides actionable recommendations for policymakers and public administrators to foster a more circular and responsible approach to IT asset lifecycle management in India.
DOI:
