Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, inaugurated a day-long conclave organised by the Recycling and Environment Industry Association of India (REIAI) on the theme of ‘Waste Recycling & Climate Change 2025’. The event highlighted critical strategies for addressing India’s growing waste management challenges and transitioning towards a more sustainable, circular economy.

Addressing the inaugural session, Yadav shared the stark reality that India generates approximately 62 million tonnes of waste annually, with plastic, electronic, and hazardous waste increasing rapidly. He stressed that the traditional “take, make, and dispose” economic model is no longer viable. “The increasing pressure on landfills, depletion of natural resources, and environmental damage from unchecked waste disposal require urgent action,” he said, adding, “The circular economy is not just an alternative; it is essential. It marks a fundamental shift in how we produce, consume, and manage materials.”

The Minister emphasised that a well-functioning circular economy not only conserves natural resources but also drives industrial innovation, enhances economic competitiveness, and creates job opportunities. He outlined that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has played a pivotal role in creating policies and regulations that encourage recycling. These include the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks, which incentivise recyclers and integrate the informal sector into formal recycling systems. “The revenue earned by registered recyclers from the sale of EPR certificates is additional profit, over and above the profit generated from the sale of recycled products,” he added.

Yadav also highlighted the importance of industry-wide adoption of circular practices to drive sustainable growth and resource efficiency. To this end, he presented four key strategies:

1. Redesigning Products for Circularity: Encouraging businesses to design products with recyclability in mind, focusing on biodegradable, reusable, and modular components to extend product lifecycles and reduce waste.
2. Investment in Advanced Recycling Technologies: Promoting the adoption of emerging technologies to enhance waste management systems and improve recycling efficiency.
3. Strengthening Supply Chain Collaboration: Encouraging businesses across the value chain to collaborate in optimising resource utilisation, creating closed-loop production systems, and developing markets for secondary raw materials.
4. Consumer Awareness and Behavioural Change: Highlighting the need for consumer engagement through awareness campaigns to incentivise recycling and foster sustainable consumption behaviours.

He noted that there is a significant gap and untapped potential in India’s waste recycling system. “The role of the recycling industry is vital for reducing imports of critical products needed for economic growth,” he said.

In his address, Yadav highlighted India’s ongoing transformation under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. “India is shifting from waste management to harnessing the economic potential of recycling through the waste-to-wealth initiative,” he stated. He further added, “The circular economy has a major role to play in the future, including reducing, reusing, and recycling at every stage, from product design to end-of-life management. Waste should not be treated as a burden but as a resource. Adopting sustainable practices is crucial for achieving economic resilience, environmental sustainability, and social security.”

The event underscored the urgent need for an integrated approach to waste management and recycling, as well as the critical role of industries and consumers in driving the transition to a circular economy.