**Executive Summary**
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh addressed the 2nd Global Symposium on Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy on April 20, 2026, highlighting India’s transition toward a circular economy where waste is viewed as a valuable resource. He noted that the government has already earned over ₹4,000 crore from scrap and e-waste, signaling a new industrial revolution driven by biotechnology and recycling. The document emphasizes the need for collective participation from industry and startups to achieve India’s 2070 net-zero emissions goal.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Economic Shift and Revenue Generation**
* The global economy is moving toward a "Circular Economy" model where discarded materials are treated as sources of economic value.
* A dedicated nationwide Swachhata campaign resulted in government revenues exceeding ₹4,000 crore from the collection of electronic waste and scrap.
* Materials previously considered waste, such as plastic, used cooking oil, and steel slag, are now being converted into biofuels, road construction inputs, and viable industrial materials.
**Technological and Industrial Innovation**
* The next phase of industrial development will be driven by recycling, biotechnology, and genetically oriented processes.
* This transition is being viewed by global experts as the foundation of the next industrial revolution.
* India is redefining value chains by emerging with new opportunities in green technologies, waste management, and circular production systems.
**Policy and Strategic Support**
* The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) is supporting startups focused on green technologies and lifecycle-based approaches like carbon credits.
* India seeks to integrate traditional cultural and agricultural circular practices with modern scientific innovation.
* The transition to a resource-efficient economy is a critical component of India’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Government and Public Sector**
**Impact**
The government has shifted from incurring costs for waste disposal to generating significant revenue (over ₹4,000 crore) through resource recovery.
**Action Required**
Continue to open sectors, facilitate multi-stakeholder collaboration, and develop policy frameworks to accelerate the circular transition.
**Stakeholder: Industry, Startups, and MSMEs**
**Impact**
The circular model creates new business opportunities and livelihoods across the economic spectrum by turning industrial by-products into valuable resources.
**Action Required**
Actively invest in innovation, adopt green technologies, and participate in circular production systems to drive industrial growth.
**Stakeholder: Civil Society and Households**
**Impact**
The benefits of a circular economy extend to the informal sector and households by creating new livelihood opportunities and promoting sustainability.
**Action Required**
Adopt behavioral changes and engage in public participation to support large-scale transformation beyond government initiatives.
Key Entities Referenced
Global Symposium and Awards on Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy: The primary platform for deliberations on policy frameworks, partnerships, and implementation strategies to accelerate India’s transition to a circular economy.
Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Industry Alliance (RECEIC): A key stakeholder group and alliance involving industry leaders focused on resource efficiency and circular production systems.
Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC): A government agency supporting startups in green technologies, sustainable solutions, and the implementation of lifecycle-based approaches like carbon credits.
Swachhata campaign: The national initiative cited as a primary driver for resource recovery, resulting in significant government revenue from scrap and electronic waste.
Ministry of Science & Technology: The primary ministry leading the policy shift toward a circular economy through recycling and biotechnology-driven innovations.
Ministry of Science & Technology
World witnessing a paradigm shift to "Circular
Economy", the idea of “waste” is rapidly
disappearing, says Dr Jitendra Singh;
Minister cites the example of the government having earned
more than Rs 4,000 cr from Scrap including E-Waste during
the Swachhata campaign;
The emerging model of circular economy, backed by
recycling and biotechnology-driven innovations, is set to
redefine industrial growth and sustainability across sectors,
says the Minister;
Policy Support, Startups and Industry Participation
Accelerate India’s Circular Economy Transition
Posted On: 20 APR 2026 6:11PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO,
Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the world
is witnessing a paradigm shift to "Circular Economy" and there is a decisive shift in economic thinking,
where the idea of “waste” is rapidly disappearing and every discarded material is increasingly being seen
as a source of economic value. He cited the example of the government having earned more than Rs 4,000
cr simply from Scrap including E-Waste during the Swachhata campaign.
The Minister said, the emerging model of circular economy, backed by recycling and biotechnology-
driven innovations, is set to redefine industrial growth and sustainability across sectors.
Dr Jitendra Singh was addressing the 2nd edition of the Global Symposium and Awards on Resource
Efficiency and Circular Economy in New Delhi, attended by representatives from government, industry,
research institutions and international organisations, including delegates associated with European and
German missions, along with key stakeholders from the Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy
Industry Alliance.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said that environmental discourse has evolved significantly over the years, from a focus
on preservation to a recognition of its strong economic dimension. He said the growing realisation that
sustainability can generate revenue has brought greater seriousness and wider participation to the
movement.The Minister said the next phase of industrial development will increasingly be driven by recycling, bio-
technology and genetically oriented processes, adding that experts across the world are already viewing
this transition as the foundation of the next industrial revolution.
Giving practical examples, he said materials once treated as waste, such as plastic, used cooking oil and
industrial by-products like steel slag, are now being converted into valuable resources, including road
construction inputs, biofuels and commercially viable industrial materials. He said industries which earlier
incurred costs to dispose of such waste are now deriving economic returns from it.
Dr. Jitendra Singh shared that sustained cleanliness and recycling efforts have already demonstrated
tangible financial outcomes. Referring to a dedicated nationwide campaign, he said that the collection of
electronic waste alone resulted in revenues exceeding ₹4,000 crore, indicating the vast untapped potential
of resource recovery.
He said the benefits of a circular economy are not confined to large industries but extend across the entire
economic spectrum, from households and informal sectors to startups and MSMEs, creating new
livelihood and business opportunities at multiple levels.
The Minister also spoke about the importance of public participation and behavioural change, stating that
large-scale transformation will require collective involvement beyond government initiatives. He said that
as the government continues to open up sectors and facilitate collaboration, industry, startups and civil
society must actively come forward to invest, innovate and participate.
Referring to evolving economic practices, he said that India is witnessing a transition where value chains
are being redefined and new opportunities are emerging in areas such as waste management, green
technologies and circular production systems. He added that this shift will also contribute significantly
towards India’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
Dr. Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, BIRAC, spoke about India’s traditional strengths in circular
practices rooted in its cultural and agricultural systems, and emphasised the need to integrate this legacy
with modern scientific innovation. He said BIRAC continues to support startups working on green
technologies and sustainable solutions, while also encouraging lifecycle-based approaches and
mechanisms such as carbon credits.
The symposium served as a platform for deliberations on policy frameworks, partnerships and
implementation strategies to accelerate India’s transition towards a resource-efficient and circular
economy.*****
NKR/AK/SK
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