The old mobile phone which I gave to Shakeel (name changed), local kabari walah paid me Rs.550 as it was still in working condition. I was happy enough to rid off the mobile phone which was lying in my cupboard from years as it was not trendy and latest model. I was nowhere bothered about the business which I initiated for Shakeel by giving away my trash. To my surprise I read an article in the newspaper highlighting the e-waste recycling as a business opportunity for developing countries like India and China. The article spotlighted e-waste trade chain in India and the hazards posed by the informal recycling for extraction of metals. People like Shakeel collect obsolete electronic items/scraps etc. from households by paying its depreciated and approximated cost and sell it further to traders for dismantling and recovery of components. The households might also donate old electronics to friends or exchange them in lucrative exchange schemes.The bigger players/dealers collect old electronic items from offices and business segment by auctions and sale/purchase. In one way,....   More...