 The Power of Markets: Economics of India’s E-waste Processing IndustryT. S. Krishnan () Chapter Chapter 3 in Untapped Knowledge in India’s E-Waste Industry, 2023, pp 39-57 from Palgrave Macmillan Abstract: Abstract This chapter challenges the widespread assumption that formalization can improve the lives and livelihoods of informal processors through economies of scale. This assumption is rooted in a biased understanding that ignores the existing strengths and future potential of India’s informal processors. This chapter maps the economic aspects of India’s e-waste processing industry and shows how e-waste industry defies economies of scale and rather works on economies of scope. Informal processors’ economic capabilities—low cost, high flexibility, high quality, quick turnaround time—are such that they maximize economies of scope and align with the ways in which the e-waste industry operates. The existing e-waste formalization policy obstructs the inherent capabilities of informal processors that naturally maximize economies of scope. If India were to redesign its policies to work in collaboration with informal processors, both sides would stand to reap massive economic rewards. Keywords: E-waste recycling; Business models; Recycling economics; Informal recycling; Economies of scale; Formalization (search for similar items in EconPapers) There are no downloads for this item, see the EconPapers FAQ for hints about obtaining it. Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pal:paiecp:978-3-031-50296-5_3 Ordering information: This item can be ordered from DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-50296-5_3 Access Statistics for this chapter More chapters in Palgrave Advances in Economics of Innovation and Technology from Palgrave Macmillan |
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