India’s Urban Waste Crisis and the Shift Towards Circular Economy

Introduction

India’s urban centres face a growing waste crisis driven by rapid urbanization, consumerism, and inadequate waste management infrastructure. The traditional linear consumption model—take, make, dispose—has resulted in unsustainable waste generation, overwhelming landfills and polluting ecosystems. In response, a shift towards a circular economy (CE) is gaining momentum, focusing on resource efficiency, waste minimization, and sustainable design. This report emphasizes the role of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in guiding this transformation.

The Circular Economy and Sustainable Development Goals

A circular economy is an economic system aimed at eliminating waste and promoting the continual use of resources. It contrasts with the linear economy by extending product lifecycles, encouraging reuse, and minimizing resource extraction. In India, circularity aligns with traditional practices such as repairing, reusing, and recycling, which have been part of communities for centuries.

• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Promotes sustainable urban development through efficient waste management.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): Encourages sustainable consumption patterns and waste reduction.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): Reduces environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from waste.

Social and Behavioural Changes for Circularity

Transitioning to a circular economy requires more than infrastructure and technology; it demands a shift in societal attitudes and behaviours. Public participation is vital in waste segregation, recycling, and sustainable consumption.

1. Education campaigns to raise awareness about waste management.
2. Community involvement to foster ownership and accountability.
3. Incentives to encourage responsible waste practices.

Initiatives such as the Swachh Bharat Mission have advanced cleanliness and waste awareness, supporting SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Community-Driven Initiatives and Innovative Models

Several grassroots initiatives demonstrate the potential of community engagement in waste management:

• Hasiru Dala, Bengaluru: Empowers waste pickers by integrating them into formal systems, providing training, safety equipment, and fair wages.
• Pune Municipal Corporation’s Waste Segregation Program: Engages residents in source segregation, composting, and recycling, significantly reducing landfill waste.
• Goonj: A startup transforming urban waste into products like clothing and sanitary pads, addressing waste and social issues simultaneously.

These initiatives contribute to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by creating employment and promoting sustainable consumption.

Government Policies and Technological Advancements

The Indian government supports the circular economy through policies and technological integration:

• National Resource Efficiency Policy: Aims to reduce resource consumption and promote recycling.
• Plastic Waste Management Rules: Regulate plastic waste and encourage sustainable alternatives.
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Mandates producers to manage product lifecycles, promoting recyclability and waste reduction.
• Smart Waste Management Systems: Cities like Indore and Surat use data analytics and IoT devices to optimize waste collection, segregation, and recycling.

These measures align with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 11.

Challenges to Circular Economy Adoption

Despite progress, challenges remain:

• Lack of public awareness about waste segregation and recycling.
• Insufficient infrastructure for segregation, recycling, and composting.
• Cultural norms favoring convenience over sustainability.
• Inconsistent policy implementation and weak enforcement.

Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach involving education, infrastructure development, policy reform, and community engagement to meet SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Recommendations for Fostering a Culture of Circularity

1. Launch nationwide education campaigns on waste segregation, recycling, and sustainable consumption.
2. Involve local communities in waste management decisions and activities.
3. Provide incentives such as subsidies, recognition, or financial rewards for adopting circular practices.
4. Invest in facilities for waste segregation, recycling, and composting.
5. Strengthen policy implementation and introduce regulations promoting circularity.

Successful Examples and Future Outlook

• Indore: Recognized as one of India’s cleanest cities due to comprehensive waste management including source segregation, composting, and recycling.
• Goonj NGO: Repurposes urban waste into useful products, addressing social and environmental challenges.
• Hasiru Dala, Bengaluru: Integrates waste pickers into formal systems, improving livelihoods and waste management efficiency.

The transition to a circular economy in India’s urban centres is both an environmental necessity and a cultural imperative. Leveraging traditional practices, fostering social and behavioural change, and implementing supportive policies can build a sustainable and resilient urban waste management system. Collective action from individuals, communities, businesses, and governments is essential to embrace circularity, ensuring a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Author

Dr. Sharanpreet Kaur, Assistant Professor of International Relations, School of Social Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article discusses urban waste management challenges and solutions in Indian cities, focusing on making cities cleaner and more sustainable.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The emphasis on circular economy principles, waste minimization, recycling, and sustainable consumption aligns with this goal.
3. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Improved waste management reduces pollution of ecosystems including water bodies, indirectly supporting this goal.
4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Initiatives like “Hasiru Dala” and startups such as “Goonj” create employment opportunities in waste management and recycling sectors.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Reducing waste and promoting resource efficiency contribute to mitigating environmental impact and climate change.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 11 – Target 11.6
   • Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
2. SDG 12 – Target 12.5
   • Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
3. SDG 12 – Target 12.4
   • Achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle.
4. SDG 8 – Target 8.3
   • Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
5. SDG 6 – Target 6.3
   • Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
6. SDG 13 – Target 13.2
   • Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Waste Segregation and Recycling Rates
   • Programs like Pune’s Waste Segregation Program and Indore’s waste management system imply measuring the percentage of waste segregated at source and recycled.
2. Reduction in Landfill Waste
   • Reduction in the volume of waste sent to landfills, as seen in Indore’s example, serves as an indicator of progress.
3. Employment Generated in Waste Management Sector
   • Number of waste pickers integrated into formal systems (e.g., Hasiru Dala) and jobs created by startups like Goonj.
4. Implementation of Policies and Regulations
   • Extent of enforcement of policies such as the National Resource Efficiency Policy and Plastic Waste Management Rules.
5. Public Awareness and Participation Levels
   • Participation rates in community initiatives and education campaigns promoting waste segregation and sustainable consumption.
6. Use of Smart Waste Management Technologies
   • Deployment and effectiveness of IoT and data analytics in waste collection and processing.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: sundayguardianlive.com