Dr. Rachna Arora, Devyani Hari , Deepankar Tiwari, Pranshu Singhal, and Pratibha Sharma participated in the panel discussion titled "The Circular Economy Framework: India's Priority Areas" at the Sustainable Supply Chains India Event, co-hosted by NürnbergMesse GmbH, on November 22, 2023.
The points raised during the discussion were:
• Innovation is Key: Material circularity should be approached from an innovative perspective, exploring new technologies and processes to maximize resource recovery and minimize #wastegeneration.
• Policy Harmonization: A harmonized global framework is essential to facilitate the seamless flow of materials and wastes, promoting cross-border circularity.
• Cost Integration: #Circulareconomy principles should be integrated into financial planning to ensure the long-term viability and scalability of #circularinitiatives.
• Infrastructure and Awareness: Establishing efficient material recovery facilities and raising awareness among stakeholders, including the public and the informal sector, are crucial for successful circular implementation.
• Sustainability Audits: Regular audits of recycling facilities are necessary to ensure compliance with #sustainabilitystandards and promote continuous improvement.
• Product Durability: Designing products with longer lifespans and promoting multiple use cases can significantly reduce waste generation.
• Phasing Out Waste: Circularity goes beyond waste management; it aims to eliminate waste generation at its source.
• Holistic Approach: Circularity encompasses various aspects, including design, material selection, energy efficiency, #waterconservation, and waste management.
• MSME Support: Micro, small, and medium enterprises (#MSMEs) need tailored support to navigate #circularity regulations and enhance their market competitiveness.
• Industry Collaboration: Actors across the #valuechain should engage with processing units to identify challenges and develop #sustainablesolutions.
• Consumer Empowerment: Educating consumers about #circularity and promoting transparency through proper disclosures can drive informed purchasing decisions.
Centre for Responsible Business, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, UNDP, ETO Motors, Karo Sambhav