Effective management of waste will not only improve the public health and environment but enhance the quality of life by generating jobs, creation of new products generate energy, finally leads to Swachh, Swasth, Sashakt, Sampann and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Towards encouraging the better waste management across the country, CII has been working towards policy and practices of waste management that combines protection of the environment and human health.

To take its efforts forward, a digital event on International Waste to Worth Conference was organised by CII in association with the Technology Development Board, Government of India and supported by Swachh Bharat Mission, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India on October 30, 2020 and Exhibition from 30 October to 15 November 2020.

The conference and exhibition received an encouraging response with Czech Republic as Partner Country this year. Around 40 exhibitors from five countries had showcased their strength in waste management, water management, technologies etc.

Further, the day-long conference on October 30, 2020 witnessed the series of engaging discussions by industry stalwarts on various topics revolving around the theme of ‘Achieving circular economy through innovative 3R techniques’.

Prof K VijayRaghavan, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India delivered the Inaugural Address during the conference. During his Inaugural speech, he stated that while scientific and technological solutions are available, people have come together in a dramatic way during the pandemic, and in a similar fashion fundamentally, there is a need to change the attitude towards our environment to deal with waste in our country.

He congratulated the winners of the CII 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Awards. He mentioned some of the incredible work done by them in setting standards and exemplars on how to deal with waste.

In most parts of the world and, in particular, in India, we are habituated to degradation of our environment and the waste that surrounds us. A wake-up call for the common purpose would help in tackling this at a micro, meso and macro scale and in the next 2-5 years would see some extraordinary solutions.

Martina Tauberová, – Deputy Minister, EU Affairs and Foreign Trade, Ministry of Industry and Trade, The Czech Republic said the conference demonstrates how a circular economy is closely intertwined with waste management. “Let me assure you that the Czech Republic also recognises its importance and has developed a sound waste management framework. Over the next 15 days, we will be showcasing Czech companies that are operating in waste recycling.”

Dr Anil Kakodkar, Chairman, Grand Jury, CII 3R Awards and Chairman, Rajiv Gandhi Science & Technology Commission said, “If you do a lifecycle analysis, investments in technological innovation will payback much better than what we can possibly imagine and waste to wealth will become a way of life. The 3R awards, can be leveraged to motivate the industry and create a movement. Collective action is essential to achieve our goal for a Clean India.”

Highlighting the importance of promoting waste management technologies in India, Dr Neeraj Sharma – Secretary, Technology Development Board, GoI reminded participants of the challenges facing India in the waste management sector. “About 78 million tonnes of waste are produced in urban Indian while 97 tonne is produced in rural India each year – but only 15 percent is being treated. The Technology Development Board has funded a few companies within the sector, and we want to encourage more start-ups to take our support. This conference will help us potentially identify such companies, which we can support in our mission for a clean India.”

Attended by over 1,000 delegates, the virtual conference recognised 08 leading Indian companies with CII 3R Awards. The Awards are designed to recognise the efforts of companies which have set benchmarks in three areas: 1) managing waste generated by the industry due to their own activities; 2) creating mechanisms or products to ensure minimal waste at the user end; and 3) managing solid waste and other urban waste across the cities and towns of India. The winners of each categories are:

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ICR Team

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