E-waste recyclers to tap urban mining for rare earth elements

INDIAN E-WASTE RECYCLERS are looking to urban mining as a viable path to extract rare earth elements from discarded electronics and batteries, positioning themselves as potential suppliers in a global market facing increasing supply chain constraints.

- URVI MALVANIA

"India generates close to 5 million tonnes of e-waste annually — and this number is projected to double in just 3-4 years. That's not just a waste challenge — it's a rare earth opportunity hiding in plain sight," said ALN Rao, head of sustainability solutions at Recykal, a digital waste management platform.

Urban mining allows for the recovery of metals like neodymium, cobalt, lithium, and nickel from consumer electronics, EV batteries, and solar components — without disturbing natural ecosystems.