An Institutional Framework to Address End-of-Life Vehicle Recycling Problem in India

The Indian Economy is becoming significant in the late years. There will be more middle class individuals in the coming years having higher purchasing power, bringing about sharp increment in the ownership of vehicles. The quantity of End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) in 2015 is evaluated at 8.7 million and by 2025, this figure is assessed to ascend to 21.8 million. Car breaking yards' ELV recycling practices result in inadequate resource recovery and various forms of pollution. 75-80% of the ELV constitutes of metal and recycled due to its economic benefits. The rest of the 25-30% comprises of plastics, rubber, glass and operating fluids which are mostly disposed off in land or water. Existing international literature has analyzed ELV recycling and remanufacturing practices in India as separate topics. By adopting Circular Economy practices such as 3R (spare parts reuse, component remanufacturing and materials recycling), the institutional framework proposed in this paper considers both ELV recycling and Automotive Component Remanufacturing. Previous methods found in literature, best industrial practices and well-documented case studies are taken into consideration. The framework comprises of three elements such as an authorized dismantling plant, recycling information centre and ELV recycling fund management board; illustrates the integration of various stakeholders such as the Government, Industries, Industry Association, Universities and Research Institutes and their roles in establishing a sustainable ELV recycling infrastructure. The framework could assist policy makers in developing ELV directive and aftermarket service policy; OEMs and other enterprises in establishing synergetic networks as well as Academicians in key research areas to be focused upon.