As resource pressures mount, circularity emerges as a strategic pathway – reshaping business models, empowering communities, and redefining value across the ecosystem

As the world faces a growing climate crisis, the need for adopting sustainability principles in businesses has never been more important. One of the most transformative responses to this challenge is the circular economy – an economic model that reimagines production and consumption, prioritizing regeneration over depletion and reuse over disposal. In today’s rapidly evolving environmental landscape, circularity is no longer a buzzword – it is becoming a strategic imperative for industries, governments, and civil society alike.

The Evolution of Circular Economy Thinking
Historically, sustainability efforts were focused on pollution control and regulatory compliance. Over time, the approach evolved into a more proactive form, where organizations started embedding eco-efficiency into processes. The current form of circularity marks the next leap—a systemic shift in how we design, produce, and consume.

More companies today are experiencing resource challenges for their current and future needs and hence, this concept has expanded from the confines of sustainability departments to the boardrooms—where it is shaping strategic planning—and into the backrooms, where operations, procurement, and R&D are embedding circular principles in their day-to-day decisions.

The future will see deeper integration of digital technologies – internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain – to track material flows, optimise processes, and ensure accountability. New business models such as product leasing, sharing platforms, and reverse logistics will gain prominence. And most importantly, cross-sector collaboration—between government, industry, academia, and civil society- will be vital to scale impact.

The Global Shift toward Circularity
Around the world, nations and corporations are waking up to the finite nature of our planet’s resources. The traditional linear economy – take, make, dispose – is proving increasingly unsustainable, both environmentally and economically. In contrast, the circular economy offers a model where materials flow in closed loops, minimising waste, lowering emissions, and unlocking new forms of value.

Globally we are seeing regulatory action to deal with this resource challenge like the European Union’s Circular Economy Action Plan, part of the broader European Green Deal, is driving regulatory frameworks that support eco-design, extended producer responsibility, and innovation in waste-to-resource technologies. Countries like the Netherlands aim to become fully circular by 2050. Similarly, China has embedded circular economy principles into its national five-year plans, focusing on industrial symbiosis and material reuse.

Global corporations are also reimagining their value chains. Consumer brands are designing packaging for recyclability, investing in take-back programs, and experimenting with new business models like product-as-a-service. From fashion to electronics, the goal is clear: decouple growth from resource consumption.

India’s Evolving Circular Economy Landscape
India, with its vast population and growing industrial base, faces unique sustainability challenges. However, it also holds immense potential for circular innovation. The government has taken important steps – starting the Swachh Bharat Mission, Plastic Waste Management Rules, and promoting resource efficiency through Niti Aayog’s circular economy frameworks across key sectors like construction, electronics, and textiles.

India’s informal recycling sector has been following circular practices for a long time, even though it hasn’t been officially recognized or regulated. Today, efforts are being made to integrate these grassroots practices with formal systems, enhancing both environmental and social outcomes. At the same time, Indian start-ups are emerging with scalable circular models—from textile recycling to compostable packaging, and refurbished electronics to bio-based materials. Recycling of PET bottles is an excellent example of circularity in practice.

Welspun Living: Circularity in Action
At Welspun Living, sustainability is not an afterthought – it is embedded in our DNA. Our vision goes beyond compliance to creating positive environmental and social impact across the value chain. Circularity is a cornerstone of this journey.

One of our flagship initiatives is the community empowerment initiative  – SPUN which is based on empowering rural women by creating valuable textile products from textile waste coming from our operations. The program delicately weaves social upliftment with waste management & circularity to make use of textile waste in an innovative and useful way.

We have also implemented waste heat recovery (WHR) initiative at our Anjar manufacturing plant in Gujarat. Through this innovation, we capture and reuse waste heat from industrial processes to generate steam reducing our dependency on fossil fuels and bringing down carbon emissions for the plant.

We have also implemented Zero liquid discharge (ZLD) systems, ensuring that 100% of wastewater is treated and reused within the plant. Moreover, we are actively reducing our reliance on virgin raw materials by incorporating recycled fibers and sustainable cotton into our textile products. Our Traceability and ESG platforms help us measure, monitor, and communicate our progress transparently to stakeholders.

We see the textile industries future in adoption of regenerative business models, where waste becomes a resource and products are designed for longevity and reuse.

Impact across the Ecosystem
Circular innovations are delivering multidimensional impacts. Environmental: Significant reductions in water usage, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. Economic: Lower operational costs and enhanced efficiency through resource optimization. Social: Empowerment of local communities via training, employment, and inclusion of informal workers in recycling initiatives. Reputational: Strengthened stakeholder trust and competitive advantage in global markets increasingly demanding sustainability compliance. These benefits reinforce the belief that circular economy is not just good for the planet—it makes strong business sense.

A Call for Collective Action
On this World Environment Day, as we reflect on our environmental responsibilities, let us recognize the circular economy as more than an opportunity—it is an obligation. From multinational corporations to individual consumers, we all have a role in transitioning to a more regenerative, inclusive, and sustainable world.

At Welspun Living, we are proud to be part of this journey. But no one can go it alone. Now is the time for collective action – “to reimagine waste, rethink business models, and reinvent value creation.” Let’s move from intent to impact. From ideas to implementation. From boardrooms to backrooms. That is how we build a truly circular future.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication.