Union Ministers stress the importance of circular economy, waste management innovations, and building a skilled workforce to transform waste into valuable resources for a sustainable Bharat

At the CII’s 9th international conference on waste to worth, held recently, Indian government leaders and industry experts came together to outline a roadmap for a greener, more sustainable future. Bhupender Yadav, the Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, emphasized that as India strives for a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India), it must also focus on creating a green and sustainable Bharat. His call for a circular economy—focused on minimizing waste, recycling, reusing, and reducing—was central to his message. The Minister advocated for a shift in mindset, urging citizens and industries to view waste not as a burden but as a resource, and underscored the need for a skilled workforce specializing in recycling technology and eco-friendly product design.

Minister Yadav highlighted several key government policies aimed at promoting waste management, including the Plastic Waste Management Rules, E-Waste Management Rules, and the Motor Vehicle Registration and Scrap Policy, among others. These policies, he noted, are crucial for enhancing economic resilience, environmental sustainability, and social security.

Tokhan Sahu, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, also addressed the conference, urging delegates to turn adversity into opportunity through the principles of waste to worth. He reiterated that the Government is taking proactive steps to fast-track urban development, including transforming cities into smart cities. Waste management and scrap recycling are pivotal to this transformation, and the National Circular Framework developed by CII is an essential step towards achieving these goals.

In his message, Shri Baldeo Purusharth, Joint Secretary at the Department of Economic Affairs, lauded India’s progress in adopting circular economy principles and addressing plastic waste. He called for systems to recognize waste-to-worth solutions identified by individuals with no formal degrees, emphasizing that collective efforts could make India a global leader in sustainable development.

Masood Mallick, Chairman of CII’s National Committee on Waste to Worth Technologies, echoed the importance of decarbonizing materials like steel, glass, and plastics, which account for a large portion of the carbon footprint. He stressed that renewable energy alone cannot achieve net-zero goals without addressing the carbon emissions from these materials, advocating for innovative recycling and resource recovery.

A significant highlight of the event was the release of the second edition of the National Circular Economy Framework (NCEF), which offers actionable strategies for businesses and stakeholders in the waste management sector. The NCEF’s emphasis on life cycle assessment is aimed at promoting innovation and deepening the understanding of circular principles.

The conference also saw the recognition of nearly 50 companies for their excellence in waste-to-worth practices at the fifth edition of CII’s 4R Awards. The Grand Award winners included Schindler India, Blue Planet Environmental Solutions, and Ganesha Ecopet.