Union Minister says, ‘Waste to Wealth’ is emerging as a new avenue for StartUp in India

Source: The post is based on the article “Union Minister says, ‘Waste to Wealth’ is emerging as a new avenue for StartUp in India” published in PIB on 27th August 2022.

What is the News?

The Union Minister has said that “Waste to Wealth” is emerging as a new avenue for StartUp in India.

Waste Generation in India

Waste generation in urban areas of India will be 0.7 kg per person per day in 2025, approximately four to six times higher than in 1999. 

According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, India currently generates 62 million tons of waste (both recyclable and non–recyclable) every year, with an average annual growth rate of 4%. Solid waste, plastic waste and E-waste are the principal waste materials.

Initiatives to tackle Waste Generation in India

The Government of India has undertaken multiple large-scale national initiatives such as ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’, ‘National Water Mission’ and ‘Waste to Wealth Mission” as a part of its commitment to effective waste & pollution management in India.

What are Union Minister’s views on Waste to Wealth?

Waste to wealth methodology serves the dual purpose of not only keeping the environment clean but also creating wealth out of elements which otherwise pollute the environment.

But there is a need to create awareness about several waste products which can generate income without much effort.

In this regard he referred to steps such as: Use of cooking oil from the kitchen could be sold off at the rate of around Rs.20 per litre to the industry which had the technology to convert it into alternative fuel. 

– Similarly, Fly Ash produced through the combustion of coal could be utilized for making bricks for construction etc.