FROM DISPOSABILITY TO DURABILITY: STRENGTHENING CONSUMER RIGHTS TO COMBAT E-WASTE

Abstract

The rapid growth in the international level of electronic waste seems to touch about 82 million tonnes by 2030, which needs immediate and structural transitions towards repair - based economies. This article focuses on how Right to Repair (RtR) laws extricates consumers, abundantly lowering the e-waste usage levels, and promotes circularity. We compare India's emerging RtR model to top international paradigms, including the EU's trailblazing Eco-design Directive and the US Fair Repair Act, showcases critical challenges including planned obsolescence, predominance of unorganized recycling segments, and disputes and problems faced over intellectual property rights. Mandatory repairability regulations, holistic consumer education programs, and tackling e-waste equity concerns globally form the core of our policy prescriptions.There is an increasingly growing e-waste which poses a major threat to humanity and urges an immediate transition, from one of disposability to one that values the durability and repairability of any product. The essay elaborates on the need to improve 'Right to Repair' consumer rights in order to lessen the environmental and economic burdens of e-waste. The essay examines India's law in comparative global practice while continuing to argue that empowering consumers with a
right to repair it fosters sustainability via a circular economy.