Introduction:
In Indian urban areas, the term “circular economy” refers to a sustainable economic model that promotes the reduction, reuse and recycling of resources to minimize waste production, environmental impact and resource consumption. A circular economy in India stresses the efficient use of resources, the development of eco-friendly technologies and the establishment of strong waste management systems in the context of Indian cities, where rapid urbanization and industrialization pose significant challenges to resource management and environmental sustainability.
This means encouraging the refurbishment and repurposing of objects, creating a culture of responsible consumption, and creating long-lasting products. Circular economy in India also focuses on integrating unofficial waste sectors like waste pickers into official waste management systems to enhance resource recovery and reduce the burden on landfills. The implementation of circular economy practices in India’s urban landscape has the potential to create a more resilient and sustainable urban environment by addressing resource scarcity, promoting economic growth, and mitigating environmental degradation.
Q) Why is there less usage of waste used in Urban areas before 2014?
Inefficient waste collection and segregation: India generates around 400 million tons of municipal solid waste annually, and a significant portion of this waste is not collected or segregated properly. This inefficient waste management system makes it difficult to recover recyclable materials.
Inadequate infrastructure for waste processing and recycling: India lacks sufficient infrastructure for waste processing and recycling. The number of waste processing facilities and recycling plants is inadequate to handle the vast amount of waste generated.
Low economic viability of recycling: Recycling often faces economic challenges due to the low value of recycled materials compared to virgin materials. This makes it difficult for recycling businesses to operate profitably and limits the demand for recycled materials.
Lack of market demand for recycled products: The market demand for recycled products in India is often low due to a perception of lower quality or performance compared to virgin products. This lack of demand discourages investment in recycling infrastructure and limits the circular economy’s growth.
Limited financial support for circular economy initiatives: The availability of financial support for circular economy projects is often limited, making it difficult for businesses and organizations to invest in sustainable waste management solutions.
Q) What has changed now?
PM Narendra Modi and the administration
The above stats states that only 18% of waste processing had happened in or before March 2014. Governments in the past didn’t recognize the use of transforming the waste into useful products. By doing so, the government can decrease their costs of buying and promoting new products to the market. If polished perfectly, it may look as good as the new one’s.
Q) Measures that the Government of India is implementing for the processing of waste?
Measures taken by Honorable Narendra Modi ji after he stepped in and as PM of India for this problem are:
Swachh Bharat Mission: This mission aims to achieve universal sanitation coverage and ensure proper solid waste management. It includes initiatives for door-to-door collection of waste, segregation of waste at source and construction of waste processing and disposal facilities.
Promotion of Sustainable Waste Management Practices: The government is promoting sustainable waste management practices such as composting, vermicomposting and biogas production. These practices help in reducing the amount of waste going to landfills and provide valuable resources such as compost and biogas.
Capacity Building and Awareness Campaigns: The government is conducting capacity building programs for waste management personnel and running awareness campaigns to educate the public about waste segregation, recycling, and sustainable waste management practices.
Waste to Energy Policy: This policy promotes the use of waste-to-energy technologies to generate electricity from waste. It provides incentives for setting up WTE plants and encourages the use of renewable energy sources.
Support for Research and Development: The government is supporting research and development in waste management technologies to develop innovative and cost-effective solutions for waste processing and disposal.
This tells us how a dedicated PM and his administration are working towards the development of the country wholeheartedly in all aspects like development of infrastructure and schemes.
Conclusion: India will soon process the waste into usable things or materials. So, every individual across the country should take a responsibility to segregate dry waste and wet waste separately so that they can be processed separately for different purposes to contribute to the circular economy.