WEEE/E-waste Business Model - International Environmental ...

2.3 SWOT Analysis
The analysis of the above three models indicates that there are three mechanisms for E-waste
management out of which two mechanisms are at extreme levels i.e. conventional E-waste
recycling model and EPR based business model. Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and
Threat (SWOT) analysis of these two extreme mechanisms has been carried out to understand
the applicability under the current business environment. This analysis has been summarized in
table 2.3. The common points, which can be inferred from this analysis, are given below.
4. Regulatory intervention is required in implementation of both the models.
5. Government participation will boost the implementation of both the models.
6. Potential of leakage exists in both the systems i.e. they are not foolproof system.
Though EPR system offers the potential of reduction of leakage of waste to informal
sector, it is also not 100% foolproof. The recent EU report on the implementation of
WEEE directive in member countries clearly states the gap in WEEE collection
efficiency.
The major point of difference in the implementation of the two models is the “money flow” i.e.
“who” pays ‘whom”. In Combodian context, the EPR system will lead to a complete shift in
“consumer behavior”. The existing consumer, which is used to receive the “best salvage value”
of their E-waste, will start giving it “free of cost” and start paying “Recycling Fee” at the same
time. The major barriers, which are expected to implement this system, are given below.
7. Is the consumer ready at the moment to adopt the system or ‘shift’ in attitude?
8. If yes, then what is the time line for implementation?
9. Does the regulatory monitoring system have capacity to monitor this system?
10. Who will be responsible for leakages and implementation of penal provisions?
11. Who will be responsible for ownership of imported E-waste seized at the point of
entry in the country?
12. How many E-waste recycling facilities will be viable under this system and how the
E-waste collection and transportation system will be organized considering intra
province or province state issues?
A summary mapping of the “sensitivity analysis” versus the three models is given in table 2.4.
The following inferences can be drawn from this mapping.
1. A clear “trade off” exists between the government participation in terms of land/
subsidy/ customs duty & octroi waiver/ income tax rebate/ interest rate rebate on one
hand and input raw material cost, rights to sell recovered material and recycling fee
on the other hand.
2. The timing of this trade off can be linked to time taken to shift ‘consumer behavior”.
This provides the basis for either supporting the recyclers for a particular period of time
or lead to development of PPP model for E-waste management.
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