ForumIAS announcing GS Foundation Program for UPSC CSE 2025-26 from 26th June. Click Here for more information.
Source: The post is based on the article “Moving away from the ‘take-make-dispose’ model” published in “The Hindu” on 26th July 2023.
Syllabus: GS2- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests & GS3- Economy and Environment conservation
News: India prioritizes the circular economy and resource efficiency during its G-20 presidency. They’ve introduced themes like circularity in the steel sector; Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR); circular bioeconomy and establishing an industry-led resource efficiency and circular economy industry coalition.
What are the needs of circular economy?
- Circularity in the Steel Sector:
Reduction in Emissions: Steel production accounts for about 7% of global energy sector emissions. Adopting a circular model can drastically reduce this.
Resource Optimization: As the demand for steel rises, especially in growing economies like India, it’s essential to use steel efficiently to avoid wastage.
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR):
Waste Management: Over 20,000 Producers, Importers, and Brand Owners are registered under India’s EPR framework, managing over 3.07 million tons of waste.
Promotion of Recycling: EPR promotes the growth of recycling infrastructure and a streamlined waste collection system.
- Circular Bioeconomy:
Addressing Biowaste: G-20 countries have seen 2.5 times increase in biowaste since 1970.
Alternative Resources: India uses biowaste as raw materials, turning agricultural residue into bioethanol. This reduces the extraction of virgin resources.
- Industry-led Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Coalition:
Collaborative Effort: Industries play a pivotal role in advancing the circular economy.
Technological Advancement: This coalition focuses on technological collaboration and finance mobilization.
Engaging Private Sector: By involving the private sector, the transition to a circular economy can be accelerated.
What are the government initiatives towards circular economy?
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR):
India boasts a large Extended Producer Responsibility system.
Over 20,000 entities registered, managing 3.07 million tons of waste.
Bioeconomy and Biofuels:
Launched the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana to support bio-ethanol projects using waste like crop residues.
Mandated power plants to blend 5% biomass pellets with coal.
GOBAR Dhan Scheme:
Converts cattle dung and organic waste into compost, biogas, and biofuels.
Over 500 functional biogas plants were established.
Alternative Fuels:
SATAT Scheme launched in 2018 promotes Compressed BioGas (CBG) as green transportation fuel.
Helps in infrastructure development for CBG production and distribution.