Risks
Commodity Price Volatility: The profitability from selling recovered materials is highly susceptible to fluctuations in global commodity prices (e.g., metals, plastics).
Regulatory Compliance Costs: Constant updates to environmental regulations can necessitate significant capital expenditure for upgrades, impacting profitability.
Competition from Informal Sector: Despite regulations, the informal sector often operates with lower costs, making price competition challenging.
Supply Chain Inconsistency: Securing a consistent and economically viable supply of e-waste feedstock can be challenging due to fragmentation and informal channels.
Technological Obsolescence: Rapid advancements in electronics require continuous investment in new processing technologies to efficiently handle evolving waste streams.
Environmental & Health Risks: Handling hazardous components within e-waste carries inherent environmental liability and occupational health risks if not managed rigorously.