Circular Economy in Action: How Major Cities in India Are Leading the Change in 2024

India, the second-most popular country in the world, is at a critical juncture to balance environmental sustainability with economic growth amidst rapid industrialization, urbanization, and population expansion. Traditional linear models of "take, make, use, dispose" no longer work in the current scenario. By promoting recycling, repurposing, and extending product life cycles, the circular economy helps reduce waste and dependence on finite resources. In 2024, several Indian cities are adopting this model, prioritizing resource efficiency and recycling to create resilient, sustainable urban ecosystems and foster both economic and environmental growth. This shift in resource management is guiding India to a more sustainable future.?

What is the Circular Economy? A Quick Overview

The circular economy model strives to minimize waste and make the best possible use of existing resources. It favors practices such as reuse, recycling, repair, and regeneration as opposed to the conventional "take-make-dispose" model, in order to embrace a more sustainable closed-loop approach. In the case of India, the circular economy is a solution to the growing problem of waste, which is forming new business sectors and an increase in the employment market.

Indore

Zero Waste Policy:

• Indore is the first city in India to achieve the “zero waste” status with a 100% door-to-door waste segregation system.
• Indore processes about 1,500 tons of waste per day and has reduced landfill waste by 70%

Waste-to-Energy Initiatives:

• Indore has set up waste-to-energy plants that generate electricity from non-recyclable waste, providing a sustainable energy source for the city.
• The city’s waste-to-energy plant generates about 5 MW of electricity daily, powering more than 50,000 homes.

Pune

Waste Management Initiatives:

• Pune is focusing on source segregation, with over 1,000 wards practicing waste segregation at the household level.
• The city has set up composting and waste-to-energy plants to handle organic waste and generate renewable energy.
• Pune processes approximately 1,000 tons of waste per day, with a large portion being diverted from landfills.

Sustainability Goals:

• Pune aims to achieve zero waste by 2030.
• The city promotes recycling and upcycling, helping to reduce the environmental impact of discarded materials.

Udaipur

Water Conservation:

• Udaipur, known for its lakes, has implemented rainwater harvesting systems across the city to conserve water resources.
• The city’s water recycling plant processes approximately 15 MLD (Million Liters per Day) of wastewater, reducing the burden on freshwater resources.

Waste Management Initiatives:

• Udaipur has adopted waste segregation, composting, and decentralized waste management systems in residential and commercial areas.
• The city has set up community composting centers and manages approximately 150 tons of waste per month.

Ahmedabad

Circular Economy in Industry:

• Ahmedabad’s textile industry is embracing circular economy principles by recycling dyes and reusing textiles, significantly reducing water consumption and waste generation.
• The textile sector in Ahmedabad recycles approximately 40% of water used in manufacturing processes.

Construction and Demolition Waste:

• Ahmedabad is promoting the reuse of construction and demolition debris for new infrastructure projects, reducing landfill waste.
• The city processes around 50 tons of construction and demolition waste per day, diverting it from landfills to be reused in new construction.

Waste Management and Recycling:

• The city’s waste segregation program includes both residential and commercial sectors, helping Ahmedabad recycle nearly 60% of its waste.

Challenges and Opportunities in India’s Circular Economy Journey

While Indian cities are making great strides toward circularity, they still face significant challenges:

The much-needed infrastructure for building and sustaining waste collection and recycling and circular manufacturing work remains complicated and expensive.

• Raising Awareness and Behavior Change: Shifting the public's attitudes and behaviors around waste and consumption is pivotal to achieving a successful circular economy.
• Regulatory Support: Government policy actions and incentives would play a pivotal role and see the circular initiatives being able to put certain pressures on industries in encouraging them to move into sustainable practices.
• Global Collaboration: The circular economy is a global challenge, and cities need to collaborate across borders to share best practices, resources, and technologies.

Conclusion: Circular Economy for India

The cities of Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi are addressing critical environmental issues by adopting circular economy principles and fashioning new pathways toward sustainable and resilient development and economic growth. Resource recovery, waste reduction, and sustainable production models employed in cities such as these create the basis for a circular economy that can inspire other regions of India and indeed the world at large. The cities of India have started demonstrating in 2024 that circularity is not just a fancy buzzword-it's a key component for a sustainable and resilient future.?