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Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, inaugurated the 'Waste Recycling & Climate Change 2025' conclave in New Delhi on February 18, 2025, organized by the Recycling and Environment Industry Association of India (REIAI). The event brought together industry experts, policymakers, and environmental professionals to discuss the pressing need for a circular economy and advanced waste recycling strategies to combat climate change.

Addressing the inaugural session, Yadav highlighted the increasing challenge of waste management in India, which generates around 62 million tonnes of waste annually, with significant increases in plastic, electronic, and hazardous waste. He emphasized that the traditional linear economic model—take, make, and dispose—was no longer sustainable. Yadav stressed that the circular economy, which promotes the reuse and recycling of materials, is essential for both environmental protection and economic growth. “Waste should not be treated as a burden but as a resource,” he stated.

Circular Economy's Economic and Environmental Benefits

Yadav further discussed the potential of a circular economy to drive economic growth in India. By 2050, the circular economy is expected to generate a market value of $2 trillion and create 10 million jobs, presenting significant opportunities for start-ups and developers of recycled products. He noted that the circular economy not only conserves natural resources but also fosters industrial innovation and enhances the competitiveness of industries in global markets.

The Centre outlined four key strategies for advancing the circular economy in India: redesigning products for circularity by incorporating recyclability, biodegradability, and modularity to reduce waste; investing in advanced recycling technologies to improve waste recovery and management systems; strengthening supply chain collaboration across industries to optimize resource use and create closed-loop production systems; and promoting consumer awareness and behavioral change through campaigns that incentivize sustainable consumption and recycling. Additionally, the government highlighted policies like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) that incentivize recycling, integrate the informal sector, and streamline waste management, aiming to promote eco-friendly production practices across industries.

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