Priya Sreedharan

Revolutionized e-waste recycling through India's first mobile phone repair cooperative

Priya Sreedharan's pioneering work in electronic waste management has transformed how India handles its growing e-waste problem. In 2009 she founded E-Waste Recyclers, which by 2021 had become the largest network of informal sector workers in e-waste processing. Her most impactful initiative began in 2022 with the launch of Mobile Mela, a cooperative model that trains and employs rural women to repair and refurbish discarded smartphones.

By 2023, this initiative had diverted over 10,000 tons of e-waste from landfills while creating 5,000+ jobs for marginalized women. Her Green Jobs India program integrates circular economy principles with skill development, providing training in electronics repair and component recycling. This approach reduces electronic waste by 40% while increasing the lifespan of devices by an average of 2.5 years.

Sreedharan's work has influenced national policy, leading to India's 2024 Extended Producer Responsibility rules requiring manufacturers to establish take-back systems. Her TED Talk "How to Turn E-Waste into Opportunity" (2023) has been viewed over 2.5 million times, inspiring similar programs across Southeast Asia.