Recycling and Circularity Creating New Opportunities Across Industries
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, emphasized that recycling is rapidly emerging as a significant economic opportunity for startups and MSMEs, expanding beyond its traditional association with large corporations.
Speaking at the RECEIC Global Symposium on “Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy: Co-creating Circular Future – Policy, Partnerships and Implementation Pathways,” Dr. Singh highlighted the transformative potential of the circular economy across the entire value chain.
“Recycling is not going to be the prerogative of big business houses alone. It will be a source of economy for all of us and a very strong avenue for startups and MSMEs,” he said.
The Minister noted that the Government of India has opened multiple sectors, including space and nuclear energy, to private participation and encouraged businesses to actively pursue innovation-driven opportunities.
Waste as an Economic Resource
Dr. Singh pointed out that systematic disposal of scrap and e-waste under the government’s cleanliness campaign, launched in October 2021, has generated more than ₹4,000 crore over the last five years.
He stressed that waste should be viewed as a valuable resource rather than a liability, citing successful examples such as the use of plastic and steel slag in road construction and the conversion of used cooking oil into biofuels.
According to the Minister, these initiatives demonstrate how circular economy models can create multiple revenue streams while reducing environmental impact.
Strengthening India’s Circular Economy Framework
Addressing the symposium, Mr. Neelesh Sah, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), highlighted the success of India’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework.
Introduced in 2016 and digitized during 2022–23, the framework has attracted substantial industry participation, with approximately 75,000 producers, importers and brand owners and nearly 5,000 recyclers registered across digital platforms.
He also highlighted the revised Solid Waste Management Rules, notified in January 2026 and effective from April 1, 2026, which further integrate circular economy principles and digital monitoring into waste management practices.
Sustainability Through Biotechnology and Carbon Markets
Dr. Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), emphasized the need to align future development models with sustainability and circularity principles.
He noted that many circular practices have deep roots in traditional Indian systems but were often overlooked during industrialization. Dr. Kumar advocated stronger implementation of the polluter-pays principle and enhanced regulatory mechanisms to promote sustainable business practices.
He also highlighted the potential of biologically driven production systems under India’s BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy and stressed the importance of building a robust carbon credit trading ecosystem to incentivize low-carbon and circular business models.
Industry Collaboration Driving Circular Transition
Mr. Manish Sharma, Chair of the RECEIC Steering Committee, stated that the 60-member industry coalition is actively working through five thematic groups focused on packaging, material transition, used oil circularity, textiles and apparel, and dry cell batteries.
Several pilot projects are already underway to support practical implementation and accelerate the transition toward a resource-efficient economy.
During the symposium, RECEIC-FICCI released two industry knowledge papers: “Threading the Loop – Building Resilient and Responsible Textile Value Chains in India” and “Transitioning the Chemical Industry – Used Cooking Oil as a Renewable Feedstock for Enabling India’s Material Transition.”
The event concluded with awards recognizing individuals and organizations for innovative contributions to resource efficiency, sustainability and circular economy development, reinforcing India’s growing commitment to building a more resilient and environmentally responsible future.
