Waste circularity is emerging as a sustainable solution to India's mounting solid waste crisis. Discuss the key principles of waste circularity and the government's initiative in this regard. How effective have these measures been in fostering a circular economy?

India's mounting solid waste crisis can be seen in terms of: i Absence of segregation at source ii Unscientifc waste collection methods iii Dumping of waste: open site iv Lack of efficient recycling. This has contributed to an immense solid waste vicious mentality in huge urban dump sites, e.g. Delhi. Waste circularity promises to be an effective solution to these issues owing to the following factors: 1) Incentivizes efficient waste disposal as waste to wealth. 2) Takes a life-cycle approach to solid waste management.

Industrial segregation at source, secondary management, processing, separation based on utility. Allows for re-extraction of valuable component such as critical minerals, semi-conductivity materials, e.g. lithium from plant batteries. Key principles: → Waste to wealth → Sustainable use → Waste recycling → Integrated waste management → Extended producer responsibility → Segregation and scientific management

Government measures: 1) Solid Waste Management Rules - advocate segregation at source, recycling. 2) E-waste management Rule → Extended Producer Responsibility to collect E-waste. 3) Plastic Waste management Rule → Ban on single use plastic. Efficacy: 1) Boost to circular economy: waste processing centers, e.g. E-waste center in Bengel. 2) Better waste management → declining landfills. 3) Incentivizing value obtainment from waste.

— ISHAN BHATNAGAR · AIR 5