The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has facilitated the signing of a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Telangana and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, alongside agreements between CSIR and leading recyclers. These initiatives underscore MoEFCC’s pivotal role in driving India’s transition to a circular economy while fostering sustainable waste management practices.

The MoU between the Government of Telangana and CSIR aims to develop a skilled workforce in the recycling and waste management sectors. Under this partnership, CSIR’s laboratories and institutions will provide technical support for training programs in Telangana, equipping individuals with expertise in CSIR-developed waste management technologies. This collaboration will promote the adoption of circular economy principles and create new opportunities for green employment.

Simultaneously, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change enabled the signing of agreements between eight CSIR national laboratories and recyclers, focusing on fifteen innovative waste management and recycling technologies. The CSIR labs include, CSIR-NIIST, CSIR-IICT, CSIR-NML, CSIR-IMMT, CSIR-CEERI, CSIR-IIP and CSIR-CECRI. Thetechnologies are designed to establish state-of-the-art recycling infrastructure, support domestic waste recycling, and secure critical mineral supplies through advanced recycling processes. These agreements also foster innovation, encouraging the development of new recycling technologies and offering technical assistance for recyclers’ existing operations.  

The agreements and MoU were formalized in the presence of Ms Leena Nandan, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR and Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research; Smt. A. Santhi Kumari, Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana;Shri Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana;Shri Tanmay Kumar, Special Secretary, MoEFCC and Chairman, CPCB;Shri Naresh Pal Gangwar, Additional Secretary, MoEFCC; Dr Vibha Malhotra Sawhney, Head, Technology Management Directorate, CSIR;  and Dr. K J Sreeram, Mission Director, Waste to Wealth Mission, CSIR. Senior scientists and officials from CSIR, MoEFCC, and the Government of Telangana also participated in the event.

These initiatives align with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s call for Mission Circular Economy, emphasized during his address on India’s 75th Independence Day. The MoEFCC has been instrumental in formulating policies and regulations, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks, that incentivize recyclers and integrate the informal sector into formal recycling systems. These initiatives aim to minimize waste, recover valuable materials, and reduce reliance on virgin resources.The Central Government is actively working with recyclers, refurbishers, and start-ups to establish recycling units under the EPR framework, aiming to minimize waste disposal, recover valuable materials, and reduce dependence on virgin resources.

By forging these collaborations, CSIR has demonstrated its dedication to driving India’s transition to a circular economy, paving the way for sustainable development and a cleaner, greener future.

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