India’s ambitions for Viksit Bharat 2047 demand practical, scalable solutions. Among them, refurbished electronics present an underutilised route to environmental responsibility and inclusive growth. With over 1.6 million tonnes of e-waste generated yearly, India ranks as the world’s third-largest contributor. The formal sector handles barely 20% of it. The rest ends up dismantled by the informal economy, often in unsafe, polluting conditions.
A significant portion of these discarded gadgets, such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets, are far from outdated. They have simply been replaced, not because they broke, but because a newer version became available. As a result, there is an increase in usable tech heading toward landfills, while raw material extraction continues to strain natural ecosystems.
Refurbishment is more than a workaround. It extends product life cycles, reduces the demand for virgin materials, and keeps valuable electronics from turning into toxic debris.
Making refurbishment an economic enabler
When we talk about circular economy, recycling tends to get all the attention. But refurbishing offers immediate, high-value returns. According to NITI Aayog, reusing and refurbishing can lower India’s material demand by up to 30% by 2030. This signals that our economic engine can be recalibrated to rely less on raw extraction and more on regeneration.
Refurbished electronics cost 40–60% less than new ones, offering affordability without sacrificing quality. That price gap makes a difference for millions, including students, gig workers, and rural entrepreneurs, who need access to digital tools but are priced out of the premium market.
Additionally, building a formal ecosystem around refurbishment could generate up to 2 million green jobs over the next decade. These jobs are not theoretical; they span diagnostics, repairs, logistics, testing, resale, and customer service. This sector has the potential to be a reliable contributor to India’s green economy and employment base.
E-waste affects more than we see
The 2024 World Environment Day theme may have focused on land restoration, but the deeper message remains the same: rethink waste. And e-waste affects land more than we can imagine, leaching heavy metals into soil and contaminating water sources when mishandled.
Refurbished devices require 85% fewer raw materials and generate 80% less carbon compared to manufacturing new ones, according to UNEP. That is not a marginal benefit, it is a complete shift in resource intensity. What we throw away casually today could be reused intelligently tomorrow.
Circular practices are practical. A refurbished smartphone or laptop is less resource-hungry, less polluting, and far more accessible. These outcomes align seamlessly with climate goals, even if they come without the branding of big sustainability campaigns.
Used devices can power aspirations and jobs
India’s vision for 2047 is not limited to infrastructure and GDP growth, it includes equity, access, and environmental well-being. A used laptop making its way to a student in Tier-2 India could be the beginning of a future engineer’s journey. That same device, if collected, tested, and resold by a local refurbishment unit, contributes to employment and reduces digital exclusion.
This is the kind of multiplier effect policymakers should prioritize.
Digital inclusion does not need to rely entirely on subsidies or free distribution. It can be driven by enabling the secondary tech market, one that feeds itself, sustains livelihoods, and curbs unnecessary consumption. A strong refurbished sector fits head-on within the framework of Viksit Bharat.
Policy gaps are holding back market potential
Despite recent updates in e-waste rules and the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the focus has been narrow, largely on recycling obligations. Refurbishment has not been given the same regulatory clarity or financial incentives.
That needs to change.
Tax structures must reflect the environmental and social value of reuse. Rationalising GST for refurbished products, offering tax breaks to certified refurbishers, and integrating refurbishment goals into existing digital and sustainability missions would go a long way.
This is not about charity. It is about building a supply chain that functions efficiently, serves real demand, and reduces pressure on the planet.
Refurbishment is a smart route forward
Treating refurbished electronics as second-best ignores their practical value. These devices work, meet real needs, and reduce unnecessary consumption. Reuse is indeed a logical response to growing e-waste and rising demand for affordable technology.
Refurbishment helps to lower emissions, reduce material use, and improve access. It supports digital inclusion, creates jobs, and eases pressure on supply chains. These are outcomes that matter in both environmental and economic planning.
For this sector to grow, it does not need a grand campaign. It needs regulatory clarity, fair tax treatment, and formal recognition as a contributor to national goals.
