Context : With a rise in e-waste, small businesses have seen a big opportunity to make the most of it via repair and recycling.

Introduction: In the recycling industry, the MSME sector’s contribution holds significant importance, serving as a pillar for the upcoming growth phase. Ashish Agarwal, the secretary of Recycle India Foundation, states that India is projected to create over 1.5 million green jobs by 2030, with MSMEs playing a crucial role as major job creators.

What are ‘green jobs’?

• They are a class of jobs that directly have a positive impact on the planet, and contribute to the overall environmental welfare.
• They aim to reduce the negative environmental impact of economic sectors and further the process of creating a low-carbon economy.
• Jobs involving renewable energy, conservation of resources, and ensuring energy-efficient means fall under the same category.

Significance:

Green jobs in sectors like renewable energy, waste management, green transport, and urban farming can benefit India’s trained workforce.

What are the MSMEs?

• MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise) are regulated under the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006.
• MSMEs are managed under the Ministry of MSME.  Earlier, MSMEs were categorised based on the amount invested in plant and machinery/equipment.
• Revised regulations, effective from July 2020, have also included annual turnover as a criteria. The classification criteria are: 
  • (a) Micro Enterprise: Investment in Plant and Machinery or Equipment is less than INR 1 crore and Annual Turnover is less than INR 5 crore;
  • (b) Small Enterprise: Investment in Plant and Machinery or Equipment is less than INR 10 crore and Annual Turnover is less than INR 50 crore; 
  • (c) Medium Enterprise: Investment in Plant and Machinery or Equipment is less than INR 50 crore and Annual Turnover is less than INR 250 crore.

Findings of Global E-waste Monitor report

• In 2019, 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste were dumped globally, with only 17.4% recycled (Global E-waste Monitor, 2020).
• China was the leading contributor with 10.1 million tonnes,
• US followed with 6.9 million tonnes.
• India was third in 2019, with 3.2 million tonnes.
• The World Economic Forum predicts that global e-waste generation will reach around 75 million tonnes by 2030.

Empowering MSMEs in the Services Sector

Right to Repair

1. Government’s LiFE Movement: Government develops Right to Repair under LiFE movement, focusing on sustainable consumption.
2. Enhancing consumer options: Framework enables self-repair or third-party repairs by compelling manufacturers to share product details.
3. Wide Scope of Products: Right to Repair includes mobile phones, automobiles, farming equipment, and consumer electronics among various covered goods.
4. Boosting MSME Opportunities: Consumers repairing products via third-party services create significant MSME prospects in the services sector.
5. Promoting Sustainable Practices: Right to Repair supports sustainable practices, reduces electronic waste, and fosters a greener economy.

What is LiFE?

• At the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP26), Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi announced Mission LiFE, to bring individual behaviours at the forefront of the global climate action narrative.
• LiFE envisions replacing the prevalent ‘use-and-dispose’ economy—governed by mindless and destructive consumption—with a circular economy, which would be defined by mindful and deliberate utilisation. 

Empowering MSMEs for Green Employment

1. Unlocking Green Employment Opportunities: Empowering MSMEs unlocks green employment opportunities in repair, recycling, and refurbishment.
2. Converging Sustainability, Community, and Innovation:Empowering MSMEs fosters sustainability, community development, and innovation in recycling.
3. Building a Green Workforce: A skilled green workforce drives industry-wide ecosystems with regenerated raw materials.
4. Mitigating Waste and Reducing CO2 Emissions: Repair, recycling, and refurbishment mitigate waste, prevent CO2 emissions, and reduce pollution.
5. Accelerating India’s Leadership in Waste-to-Value: Skilled green workers propel India’s leadership in waste-to-value initiatives globally.

Green Jobs: MSME Potential,Green Jobs: MSME Potential

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