Circular Economy in Municipal Solid and Liquid Waste: Recyclable garbage may generate Rs 30,000 crore annually

What is the News?

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has released a report titled ‘Circular Economy in Municipal Solid and Liquid Waste’.

Note: ​​The circular economy is a model of production and consumption that involves sharing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials/products as long as possible.

What is the purpose of the report?

The report provides a comprehensive, implementable and forward-looking action plan for the management of municipal solid & liquid waste. 

It also aims to promote India’s transition from a linear ‘take-make-waste’ mindset to a ‘multi lifecycle circular’ approach. 

What are the key findings of the report?

India generates approximately 1.45 lakh tonnes of solid waste daily and 35% of this Is dry waste and the major share of dry waste is plastic. 

Out of 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste generated daily, only 15,600 tonnes are recycled and the rest goes to landfills and water bodies.

Treatment of municipal solid, wet, and construction wastes can generate nearly Rs 30,000 crore revenue per annum and create employment opportunities.

What are the recommendations given by the report?

a) Government should reduce GST and other taxes on products that are made out of recycled materials to 5% from 18%, b) State pollution control boards and urban development and industry departments to introduce a tax for the dumping of all municipal waste in landfills.

c) Mandatory use of 25% recycled materials in non-food grade packaging to ensure recycling, d) Cement kilns must use 25% RDF (non-recyclable combustible dry waste) to replace coal.

Source: The post is based on the article “Circular Economy in Municipal Solid and Liquid Waste: Recyclable garbage may generate Rs 30,000 crore annually” published in Economic Times on 17th May 2022.