Indian Ministers Champion Circular Economy at Waste to Worth Conference

Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, addressed the 8th International Conference on Waste to Worth, stressing the imperative shift from a linear economy to a circular one. 

He emphasized the need for collaboration and exchange of best practices in waste management, urging industry, technology partners, waste management companies, and international partners to embrace a sense of bhagidaari.

In a video message, Ashwini Kumar Chaubey, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, declared that the circular economy is no longer an option but a necessity for nations. He appreciated the efforts of CII National Task Force on Circular Economy, envisioning a future where national resources contribute to prosperity with zero waste in the circular economy.

The National Circular Economy Framework (NCEF) was unveiled by Prof. Ajay K. Sood, providing a concise roadmap for India's transition to a circular economy. Prof. Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, highlighted the opportune moment for India to embrace a circular economy approach and transform challenges into opportunities for sustainable waste management. 

Masood Mallick, Chairman, CII Task Force on Waste to Worth 2023, and CEO, Re Sustainability, emphasized that waste is no longer just an environmental issue but has significant economic, resource security, and strategic impacts. He highlighted the realization from G20 deliberations that Circularity must be one of the core strategies for building a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient Bharat.

The conference also witnessed the release of the compendium on “Moving towards a Circular Economy through innovative 3R approach.” Additionally, the Conference felicitated the winners of the 4th edition of 3R (Reduce-Reuse-Recycle) Awards, recognizing and rewarding best practices in waste management across industry, start-ups, research institutes, and municipal corporations.

Winners include:

• Excellence in MSW by Private Sector
  • Indian Pollution Control Association (Winner)
  • Abellon Clean Energy Ltd (Award of Merit)
• Excellence in Yielding zero/ minimum waste products
  • GRP Ltd. (Winner)
• Excellence in 3R by Industry Managing own waste
  • JSW Steel Limited (Runner up)
  • Anupam Rasayan India Limited (Winner)
  • JCB India Limited, Pune (Winner)
• Excellence in Best Practices in managing Plastic & Packaging Waste
  • NEPRA Resource Management Private Limited (Winner)
  • Pashupati Group (Winner)
• Excellence in Best Practices in managing E- waste
  • Re Sustainability Limited (Award of Merit)
  • Blue Star Ltd (Award of Merit)
• Excellence in Innovative by Start-ups for Sustainable Waste management
  • GG Wastech Private Limited (Winner)
  • Swaaha Resource Management Private Limited (Winner)
• Excellence in Research Industry/Academics Institution
  • CCRT Laboratories (Runner up)
  • CSIR-AMPRI, Bhopal (Winner)
  • CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad (Award of Merit)
• Excellence in Managing Municipal Solid waste by Municipal Corporations
  • Municipal Corporation, Raigarh (2nd Runner up)
  • Municipal Corporation, Ambikapur (1st Runner up)
  • Municipal Corporation, Patan (Winner)

The conference featured multiple sessions and engaging discussions by industry and government stalwarts on various topics revolving around sustainability, waste management, and the circular economy.