(a) whether the Government has framed any robust policy in order to boost circular economy;
(b) if so, the sectors being prioritized for manufacturing as well as for encouraging circular economy; and
(c) if not, the alternate steps taken so far by the Government to boost circular economy?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE
(SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)
(a) to (c) An announcement outlining scope of measures to support transition to Circular Economy in Budget (2022-23) speech of Finance Minister, as under, has been made:
“The Circular Economy transition is expected to help in productivity enhancement as well as creating large opportunities for new businesses and jobs. The action plans for ten sectors such as electronic waste, end-of-life vehicles, used oil waste, and toxic & hazardous industrial waste are ready. The focus now will be on addressing important cross cutting issues of infrastructure, reverse logistics, technology upgradation and integration with informal sector. This will be supported by active public policies covering regulations, extended producers’ responsibilities framework and innovation facilitation.”
Government has initiated several measures for promoting Circular Economy. NITI Aayog in consultation with Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2021-22 has taken an initiative to deal/encourage the eleven End of Life (EOL) products / recyclable materials / wastes in Circular Economy framework. These categories are as follows: Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, electronic waste, toxic and hazardous industrial waste, scrap metal (ferrous and non-ferrous), tyre and rubber, end of life vehicles (ELVs), gypsum, used oil, Municipal solid waste and liquid waste, agricultural waste and solar panels have been finalized.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has already notified various rules, such as e-Waste Management Rules, Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, Metals Recycling Policy, etc. in their respective focus areas and recently notified ‘Guidelines on the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Plastic Packaging'' under Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 on 16th February, 2022.
Further, at the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP26), Honourable Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi announced Mission Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE), to bring individual behaviours at the forefront of the global climate action narrative. LiFE envisions replacing the prevalent ''use-and-dispose'' economy—governed by mindless and destructive consumption—with a circular economy, which would be defined by mindful and deliberate utilization. The Mission intends to nudge individuals to undertake simple acts in their daily lives that can contribute significantly to climate change when embraced across the world.
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