India’s First E-Waste Recycling Park to Rise in Delhi’s Holambi Kalan

In a significant move towards sustainable development and cleaner urban living, the Delhi government has announced the establishment of India’s first electronic waste (e-waste) eco park. The facility will be constructed in Holambi Kalan, located in North Delhi, and is poised to become a national model for circular economy practices.

The announcement was made on Monday by Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa following a high-level meeting with officials of the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC). The meeting concluded with a commitment to issue a global tender to bring in top-tier green technology partners from around the world.

Project Highlights: A Global Vision for Green Innovation

Location and Scope

The e-waste eco park will span 11.4 acres and is part of a broader national plan, being one of four such facilities proposed across India. It will be developed under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model through a public-private partnership (PPP) framework.

Processing Capacity

The facility is designed to process up to 51,000 tonnes of e-waste annually, covering all 106 categories of waste listed under the E-Waste Management Rules, 2022. This will include a wide range of electronic and electrical equipment—from obsolete computers and mobile phones to industrial gadgets.

Revenue Generation

The project is expected to generate over ₹350 crore in revenue, bolstering Delhi’s green economy and offering a replicable model for other Indian cities to adopt.

Symbol of a Circular Economy

Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa emphasized that the park is not just about recycling waste but also about transforming Delhi into a circular economy, where “no resource is wasted and no worker left behind.”

This park aims to set the benchmark in resource recovery, reducing the dependency on raw materials and minimizing landfill use. It will foster sustainable production and consumption, turning e-waste into valuable raw materials.

Construction Timeline and Infrastructure

The construction of the eco park is expected to be completed within 18 months. The comprehensive layout includes:

• Dedicated zones for dismantling, refurbishing, and plastic recovery
• A second-hand electronics market
• Skilling and training centres for workers
• Rehabilitation infrastructure for informal recyclers

These features make it more than a recycling plant—it’s an industrial ecosystem, aiming to professionalize and modernize India’s e-waste management sector.

Uplifting Workers: From Informal to Formal Economy

A critical component of the eco park’s vision is to formally integrate the thousands of informal workers who currently engage in hazardous and unregulated e-waste processing across Delhi.

Mr. Sirsa noted that the park will create over 1,000 “green jobs” and serve as a training hub to upskill informal recyclers, giving them safer work conditions and access to government benefits.

National Significance and Future Outlook

The Holambi Kalan e-waste park is expected to set a national precedent for smart waste processing, employment generation, and sustainable urban infrastructure. With India emerging as one of the top producers of e-waste globally, such projects are critical to addressing the mounting challenges of toxic waste management and environmental degradation.

As India aims to fulfill its global climate commitments and SDG goals, this initiative sends a strong signal of green intent, promoting responsible electronics disposal, innovation, and eco-conscious urban development.