Have you ever wondered what happens to your old phone or broken laptop after you throw it away? Most of us don’t think about it, but these devices contain harmful chemicals that can damage the environment if not disposed of properly. This growing problem is known as e-waste. In India, it’s becoming a serious issue as more and more people use electronics every day.
Hulladek Recycling, a company founded by Nandan Mall and based in Kolkata, is working to change this. They focus on collecting e-waste from homes and businesses and ensuring it is recycled safely. This not only prevents pollution but also helps recover valuable materials from the waste.
How It All Started
It all started when Mall was in school. As the president of his school’s “Litter Club,” his role involved collecting waste and disposing it off properly. This early exposure to waste management sparked his interest in environmental sustainability, a passion that grew stronger over time.
The turning point came when he was in college. While studying at St. Xavier’s College in Kolkata, he participated in a business plan competition. The theme was to come up with a “Business of the Future,” something that would be relevant a decade down the line. Mall and his team presented an idea for e-waste management. The concept garnered a lot of attention and gave him the foundation for what would later become Hulladek Recycling.
Hulladek Recycling officially started its operations five years after that competition, in 2014. Nandan saw that there was no proper system in place for people to get rid of their old electronics. Most people either threw them away with regular trash or sold them to informal recyclers.
Nandan created a service that made it easy for people to recycle their old electronics. He came up with door-to-door e-waste collection, where people could schedule a pick-up from their homes or offices, and Hulladek would come to collect the items. This made it convenient for everyone to dispose of their e-waste responsibly.
In its very first year, Hulladek collected 35 tonnes of e-waste. Over time, that number has grown dramatically, reaching 4,600 tonnes by March 2024.
Making E-waste collection easy
What makes Hulladek stand out is how easy it makes the process. The founders realized that most people don’t know where to take their old electronics or don’t have the time to drop them off at recycling centres. By providing a door-to-door service, Hulladek solved this problem. You can call or book a pickup online, and their team will come and collect your e-waste.
They accept a wide range of items, from mobile phones and laptops to old TVs and refrigerators. Once collected, the e-waste is sent to authorized recycling centres where it is safely broken down, and valuable materials like copper, aluminium, and plastic are recovered. This ensures that harmful substances don’t end up in landfills, and the materials are reused, reducing the need for mining and new production.
One of Hulladek’s primary goals is to implement "urban mining." This concept involves extracting valuable materials from old electronics instead of mining for new resources from the Earth. For example, items like keyboards are disassembled, with each component—plastic, metal, circuit boards—being separated and processed accordingly.
The company's operations span 20 states across India, where they collect e-waste from households, companies, and organizations. Hulladek has established warehouses in key locations such as Guwahati and Jamshedpur, where collected materials are sorted before being transported to the central warehouse near Kolkata. This process ensures that the waste is properly segregated, with reusable materials sent for refurbishment and those beyond repair sent for recycling.
Partnerships and Innovations
The company doesn’t simply collect and recycle e-waste. It has partnered with several corporations, including Mondelez and Timezone, to manage their e-waste. Additionally, Hulladek has explored ways to reuse old electronic items that were previously considered waste. For instance, the company successfully found a method to reuse old toner cartridges from printers. Through research and development, Hulladek worked with a group of recyclers to identify a process for refurbishing these cartridges, making them fit for use again. This initiative has proven to be a success, and Hulladek is now exploring similar solutions for other items, such as CFL tube lights.
Awareness and Community Engagement
Another important aspect of Hulladek’s mission is raising awareness about the dangers of e-waste. The company regularly conducts community collection drives in partnership with NGOs. They are also the primary sources the company get waste from.
These drives encourage individuals to properly dispose of their electronic devices instead of simply throwing them away.
The company also partners with medical institutions which have also helped it collect outdated medical equipment, further reducing e-waste.
Scaling Up for the Future
Currently, the company processes an average of eight tonnes of e-waste per day. While this may sound like a lot, it is still only a fraction of the total e-waste generated in the country. Hulladek aims to significantly increase this number, with a target of reaching 25,000 tonnes by 2028. The long-term goal is to process 50,000 tonnes annually, a challenge the company is confident it can meet.
Hulladek’s work in e-waste management shows how innovation and determination can make a difference. By recycling and refurbishing electronics, they’ve helped reduce the need for new materials and lessened the harmful effects of e-waste. With big plans for the future and a focus on sustainability, Hulladek is playing a key role in India’s fight against e-waste. Through efforts like urban mining and community involvement, they’re working towards a cleaner, greener future.
As e-waste continues to grow, Hulladek shows that positive change is possible, one recycled device at a time.
Meghna is a highly motivated and experienced freelance content creator with a Master's degree in History and ongoing studies in International Relations from Amity University, Noida. Her commitment lies in making valuable contributions to discussions surrounding climate change and other challenging social concerns. With a strong background in research and writing, Meghna is adept at conducting research, synthesizing information, and creating compelling content that informs, educates, and engages her readers. She has contributed to several academic journals in the past, and her writing reflects a deep understanding of complex social problems and their potential solutions. Meghna's expertise in writing and research, combined with her strong work ethic and attention to detail, make her an asset to any organization or individual looking to create high-quality content that resonates with their target audience. In summary, Meghna is a talented and committed freelance content creator who bring
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Technology is a useful servant, but a dangerous master, it was rightly said. Electronic devices have grown into an inevitable part of our daily lives.
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