While the overall challenges regarding management of e-waste in India are the same faced by other developing economies, the vast geographical diversity and economic disparities between regions often make e-waste management challenges unique in India.

• Rapidly increasing e-waste volumes, both domestically as well as generated through imports. Imports are often disguised as second-hand computer donations towards bridging the digital divide, or as metal scrap.
• Limited accuracy in the estimates of the quantity of e-waste generated and recycled.
• Low level awareness among consumers about the hazards of incorrect e-waste disposal.
• Widespread e-waste recycling in the informal sector using rudimentary techniques such as acid leaching and open air burning resulting in severe environmental damage.
• E-waste workers have little or no knowledge of toxins in e-waste and are exposed to serious health hazards, etc.