Circu - Rural Economy!
Circularity as a concept has been gaining momentum over the past decade, not only in India but all across the world. Every day, governments, large corporations, organizations, and individuals are adopting circular economy measures. In the simplest terms, a circular economy aims to minimize waste and make the most out of the resources available. It's about closing the loop and ensuring that resources are kept in use for as long as possible, extracting maximum value from them before they reach the end of their life.
Globally, circular economy is making significant strides. The European Union (EU) has been a frontrunner in this area, implementing the Circular Economy Action Plan, which aims to make sustainable products the norm in the EU, boost recycling, and reduce waste. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, adopting circular economy principles could save an estimated 1.8 trillion EUR a year in Europe alone.
In the corporate world, companies like IKEA and Apple are leading by example. IKEA has committed to becoming a fully circular business by 2030, designing products that can be reused, refurbished, remanufactured, and eventually recycled.
Apple has introduced the Daisy robot, which disassembles used iPhones to recover valuable materials that can be recycled into new products. While it’s still in a relatively early stage of its rollout (there are only two Daisy facilities in the world), a full capacity Daisy unit can disassemble 1.2 million iPhone units a year or easily 2000 football fields worth of iPhones.
Why India needs Circular Economy?
Within roughly half a century, India witnessed a six-fold increase in its annual material consumption, skyrocketing from 1.18 billion tonnes to a staggering 7 billion tonnes. This figure is projected to double to 14.2 billion tonnes by 2030 as India becomes the most populous country and its per capita consumption surges. This exponential rise in material consumption is matched by an equally rapid pace of resource extraction. India's resource extraction rate stands at 1,580 tonnes per acre, which is 251% higher than the global average of 450 tonnes per acre.
With only 20% of goods in India being recycled, it becomes clear that there is a severe underutilization of scarce resources. This highlights a tremendous opportunity to reverse this trend and adopt a sustainable economic development model. In stark contrast, Europe recycles as much as 70% of its goods, demonstrating the potential benefits of a more circular approach.
India's current economic model is predominantly linear, where resources are extracted, processed, and transformed into products that are eventually disposed of, leading to significant waste generation. Shifting towards a circular economy, where products are designed for longevity, reuse, and recycling, can drastically reduce waste and resource extraction rates. This transition is essential for sustainable growth, ensuring that resources are utilized more efficiently and reducing the environmental impact.
And the best part is that India need not look west for this. Closer home, the concept of circularity is deeply ingrained in our cultural practices in Rural India.
Rural India and its close relationship with circularity
A study by the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) highlights that rural India is a goldmine of sustainable practices. In the state of Maharashtra, for instance, farmers have been using bio-waste to produce biogas for cooking, reducing their reliance on wood and contributing to a reduction in deforestation.
I have been lucky to experience this first hand over my site visits to some interesting rural regions of India. The people have been unknowingly championing the thought process so well, it can become a masterclass in circularity globally. In these villages, I noticed a pattern at every household. Everyone, no matter how affluent or otherwise, had a livestock, especially a cow. On further conversations with the villagers I figured out that a cow is a key economic resource for them. They are part of the family and at some places you'd find their stables inside the person's home.
A prime example is the utilization of cows, where every product they generate is used effectively. Milk from cows is a sustainable source of income for rural families. If not sold, it is consumed at home, helping to reduce malnutrition. Cow urine is increasingly used as a bio-pesticide, providing an additional revenue stream for villagers.
One of the most versatile by-products is cow dung. It is used for heating, lighting, and even decorating mud houses. Cow dung paste acts as a natural insulator, keeping houses warm in winters and cool in summers. Additionally, cow dung is a major component in biogas plants, with its slurry used as bio-fertilizer on farms.
Cows are just one example of resourcefulness in rural India. Hay is repurposed to make comfortable seats, and bicycles remain a common mode of transport. Through innovative "jugaad" techniques, villagers ensure that nothing of value is wasted.
While it is commendable that India is pushing for a circular economy, it is important to recognize that rural India has always practiced circularity and that it needs to sustain this practice as it grows. Rapid modernization in urban areas has caused a disconnect from these frugal roots. Interestingly, the West is now adopting techniques that have long been part of Indian rural life.
I guess, it is time we revisiting the by-lanes of our villages!
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