The projected e-waste generation in India is expected to increase to about 8.0 lakh MT by 2012. As per the survey by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), it is estimated that about 1.47 lakh MT of e-waste was generated in 2005. The Inventory Assessment Manual of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 2007, estimated that e-waste generation in European Union is about 14 to 15 kg per capita per annum. In countries like India, annual generation per capita is less than 1 kg.

The E-waste disposal practices in Western countries are based on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) concept. Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests has notified the Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008 for proper management and handling of hazardous wastes, which include e-waste.

Units handling e-waste are required to register with CPCB. The waste generated is required to be sent or sold to a registered or authorized recycler or re-processor or re-user having environmentally sound facilities for recovery of metals, plastics, etc.
The 2008 e-waste policy includes e-waste composition and recycle potential of items of economic value, identification of possible hazardous contents in e-waste, the recycle, re-use and recovery options, treatment and disposal options and the environmentally sound e-waste treatment technologies. The Guidelines emphasize the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility.