Swiss Partners
E[co]work Association, St. Gallen
www.ecowork.international
Andrea Wehrli
Local Partner
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Swiss Contribution
E[co]work is a startup project of Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories of Materials Science and Technology. Empa has been leading the Swiss development cooperation engagement on e-waste for more than 15 years. The Indian branch of the Swiss headquartered consultancy Sofies is involved as a local partner, with over 10 years of e-waste technical expertise.
Description
In India, 95% of e-waste is processed by the informal sector. The activities related to the recycling of these materials are often dangerous and polluting, but they also provide a living for a significant number of low-income people. Recently, the country has passed various laws to regulate these activities. However, compliance by micro-entrepreneurs is complicated as it involves financial investments and complex licensing procedures. The E[co]work-space provides a dedicated environment for e-waste recycling work by pooling costs and providing specific services not accessible elsewhere. Protective equipment, specific tools and machines as well as training are offered by the center, thus favoring the development of micro-enterprises. The aim of the project is to achieve an economically viable place thanks to a self-sustaining business model.
Results
Workshops were organised and taught in small groups due to the pandemic. Various challenges were identified and addressed with appropriate solutions. In October 2023, the first e-waste recycling center was officially inaugurated in New Delhi, in the presence of local and Swiss representatives. Following a strategic shift from a rental model to direct processing, the project successfully established a compliant recycling operation and concluded in late 2025.
Impacts
E[co]work processed over 300 tonnes of e-waste. Of this, 1,500 items (10 tonnes) were sold for reuse, while 175 tonnes were sent for downstream recycling. An additional 3,6 tonnes of hazardous waste were safely disposed of at a treatment, storage, and disposal facility. Economically, the project generated CHF 380,000 in local income and attracted approximately CHF 780,000 in third-party investments. In terms of social impact, over 900 informal micro-entrepreneurs directly benefited, and 405 people were reached through awareness sessions. The initiative also created 20 new jobs and provided training for 75 individuals (25 staff members and 50 external participants).