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Showing posts with the label circular economy model

Everything You Need To Know About the E-Waste Recycling and its Function in the Circular Economy

For the longest time, people raised concerns about regular garbage and its disposal on the roadways. How many times have you noticed yourself grumbling about your nearby street - “These roads, no matter how much they are scrubbed, people will always throw garbage on it.” Like our regular garbage of leftover veggies and cardboard boxes, there is another kind of waste on the rise. A type of waste that is a direct product of the emerging digitalisation and evolution of the world. We are talking about E-Waste or Electronic Waste. Last year saw the revamp of the existing E-Waste Management Rules (2016). Today, more and more people are inquisitive about the growing risk of electronic waste and buckled up about its recycling. But how? E-Waste disposal is a humongous thing to understand, let alone implement. The world is in introductory terms with the apprehension of the paradigm shift from linear manufacturing to the circular economy model. The circular economy is most active in the elect...

Battery Waste: What Is It And How Can We Fix It?

  Electrical appliances or automobiles, power backup or hearing aids, batteries are the primary sources of power for most things we use today. This quite explains why India generates over 50,000 tonnes of battery waste every year. Do you know how many of these batteries end up in landfills? Almost 95%! Surprising but true, only 5% of the spent batteries are appropriately recycled. Little do we realize that batteries are hazardous waste. The lithium deposits and the toxic components in batteries like arsenic, lead, nickel, and dimethoxyethane pose severe environmental risks. Besides, did you know that India is greatly dependent on imports for its energy transition? This is certainly an economic setback. Also, did you know that India is expected to stand out as the third-largest market for energy storage by 2040? Thus, implementing foundational battery rules   is important to manage the overwhelming ratios of battery waste. Mishandling the spent batteries is threatening to the e...

Opportunities And Prospects Of Circular Economy Under The Plastic Waste Management Rules

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Have you been thinking if proactive measures are put in action to minimise plastic waste in the country? India generates over 3.4 million tonnes of plastic waste every year. These plastics are a threat to the ecosystem and have a significant impact on the land, oceans, and biodiversity. Moreover, it is not unknown that plastics are mostly non-biodegradable. Thus, whatever plastics are disposed of in landfills remains intact, contaminating the environment. Do you know how much plastic remains untreated and piling up in landfills? Almost 9400 tonnes of plastic. The number is quite alarming. Hence,  Plastic Waste Management  Rules, 2016 in India clearly notified the various stakeholders of the society, such as bulk consumers, retailers, government bodies, entrepreneurs, producers, and others, to work on the following things:  Segregate plastic waste Recycle and reuse plastic components as much as possible Prohibit recyclable plastics to keep stacking in the waste stream...

Importance Of Sustainable Packaging To Drive Circular Economy And Environmental Benefits

  Single-use plastic packaging waste has cropped up as an alarming issue in recent times. Would you agree any less? Of course, the buzz to raise consumer awareness around packaging and plastic waste is quite high. Haven’t you heard of recycling and a  circular economy model ? Unfortunately, as the phrase goes,  ‘the proof is in the pudding;’   the landfills remain unaffected regardless of the reformative drive. Think about it – packaging is ubiquitous. From securing fragile products from breakage to minimising food waste, packaging plays a key role in various lines of business. The dramatic expansion of new-end markets globally and a spike in cheaper choice of substrates like plastic is definitely not underrated. Sadly, the growing usage of single-use packaging is burdening and detrimental to the environment.  Did you know that the world generates approximately 400 million tonnes of plastic waste every year? India alone produces over 3.6 lakh million tonnes of p...