Circular Economy presents transformative opportunities across value chain: Jitendra Singh
Union Minister of State (Independent) Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday emphasised that recycling is emerging as a major economic driver for startups and MSMEs, and is no longer confined to large business houses. Addressing the RECEIC Global Symposium on ‘Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy: Co-creating Circular Future – Policy, Partnerships and Implementation Pathways,’ the Minister highlighted that the circular economy presents a transformative opportunity across the value chain, from grassroots entrepreneurs to large industries.
“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,” added Dr Singh.
Singh underscored that the government has opened up virtually every sector, including space and nuclear, to private participation, and called upon industry to adopt a proactive mindset. “Government is a facilitator. The private sector must now step forward with confidence and innovation,” he added.
Dr Singh noted that the government has generated over Rs 4,000 crore in the past five years through systematic disposal of scrap, including e-waste, under a cleanliness campaign launched in October 2021. “The results demonstrate that there is economic value in every form of waste,” he stated.
Neelesh Sah, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Govt of India, highlighted the impact of India’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework. Introduced in 2016 and digitised in 2022–23, the framework has seen strong participation, with nearly 75,000 producers, importers and brand owners and around 5,000 recyclers registered across platforms.
Dr Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), highlighted the need to re-evaluate development pathways through the lens of sustainability and circularity.
Manish Sharma, Chair, RECEIC Steering Committee, stated that the 60-member industry coalition is working through five thematic working groups—packaging, material transition, used oil circularity, textiles and apparel, and dry cell batteries—with pilot projects underway to drive on-ground implementation.
