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India could recover nearly 1.4 million
tonnes of non-ferrous metals through
recycling.
Electric vehicles (EVs) provide an even
bigger opportunity. ‘With 80 kg of
copper and over 200 kg of aluminium,
including battery casing and charging
infrastructure, the potential for metal
recovery from end-of-life EVs is mas-
sive,’ says Shah.
Motorcycles also contribute signifi-
cantly, using 15 kg of aluminium per
unit, with electric models requiring 20
kg. With over 20 million two-wheelers
sold annually, recycling them at the
end of their lives will yield substantial
volumes of metal.
SUNNY FORECAST
Another high potential comes with
solar panels. India currently boasts an
installed solar capacity of 98 GW.
With approximately 2 800 panels
required to generate one megawatt
of electricity, and each panel weigh-
ing 22 kg, around 15% of this weight
comes from valuable metals like alu-
minium and copper. ‘This would be 9
200 tonnes per gigawatt or one mil-
lion tonnes of recoverable metals
over the lifecycle of these panels.’
In addition, Shah points to the 500
million smartphones in use in India,
each device containing more than 50
metals and critical minerals. ‘Even if
20% of these devices are recycled
over the next five years, we could
reclaim 6 000 tonnes of critical and
precious metals.’
CHANGING LANDSCAPE
According to Shah, India has seen low
overall consumption of essential
goods for decades. Passenger vehicle
ownership stands at 30 per 1 000
people (compared to a global aver-
age of more than 300), air condition-
ers at 24 per 1 000 households, and
refrigerators at just 8 per 1 000. ‘As
we all know, that is all rapidly chang-
ing, with double-digit growth in these
sectors.’
The metal recycler believes that offers
both an opportunity and a challenge.
‘Along with this consumption growth,
India is to become a global recycling
leader rather than a waste generator.
However, there is work to be done to
get this all organised,’ he insists.
‘India is actively leading conversations
on circularity, sustainability, and
decarbonisation in both domestic and
international forums. However, policy
execution lags behind ambition.’ A
key issue is the lack of mandatory
recycled content in government pro-
curement. Railways, electricity boards,
the highways authority and other gov-
ernment entities must integrate mini-
mum recycled material requirements
into their tenders.
ONE BODY, ONE VOICE
What’s more, says Shah, India’s
recycling industry is managed by
six to seven different ministries and
departments. ‘It’s time to consolidate
oversight under one dedicated
body – whether it be an Office of
Circular Economy or of Resource
Efficiency.’ At the Jaipur conference Recycling International Magazine welcomed new readers.
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