Circular Economy
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- Context: At the 2nd Global Seminar on Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy held in New Delhi, the Union Minister emphasized India’s shift toward a circular economy model.
- The Minister highlighted the growing importance of recycling and biotechnology in achieving sustainable industrial growth and reaching the net-zero emissions target by 2070.
About Circular Economy
- A circular economy is an economic system that eliminates waste and pollution by keeping products and materials in use through maintenance, reuse, refurbishment, and recycling.
- Unlike the linear “take-make-dispose” model, it emphasizes closing the loop, reducing resource extraction, and regenerating natural ecosystems.
- By 2050, India’s circular economy is expected to achieve a market value of over $2 trillion and generate approximately 10 million jobs.
- According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), shifting to global circular economy models could yield $4.5 trillion in economic benefits by 2030, while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions and creating sustainable green jobs.
India’s key initiatives in Circular Economy
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- Swachh Bharat Mission 2014 (SBM-U): Strengthening urban waste management through the 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) principles.
- GOBAR-Dhan Scheme 2018: Creating wealth from waste through biogas and organic waste processing. As of February 2025, the scheme is implemented in 67.8% of India’s districts, with 1,008 biogas plants in operation.
- E-Waste Management Rules (2022): Formalizing the recycling-based disposal of electronic waste.
- Plastic EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility): Encouraging manufacturers to take responsibility for plastic waste (single-use plastic was banned in 2022).
- NITI Aayog’s Circular Economy Division (2022)
- It is a dedicated unit that coordinates between various ministries to finalize action plans for sectors such as e-waste, lithium-ion batteries, and end-of-life vehicles.
