Good practices in Industrial waste circularity- A compendium

November 18, 2024

Various types of industrial wastes are generated in significant quantities in the country. Mismanagement and mishandling of such wastes in several cases has led to environmental accidents and impacted inhabitants, flora and fauna of regions. The wastes can be utilized to replace natural resources, which are available in finite quantities in the environment.

The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) found that several initiatives have been taken by different industries or sectors in the country towards industrial waste circularity on which, notably, some industries are doing appreciable work. Industrial waste circularity has three major advantages—pollution control, improved waste management and conservation of natural resources. Currently, however, these initiatives are either not upscaled to their maximum potential or, if done, the circularity of different wastes is relatively low.

This report documents case studies on 10 different wastes generated from diverse sectors and utilized in various applications either as raw material or fuel, thus reducing consumption of natural resources and fossil fuels. It frames future scenarios—the expected quantity generated and utilized for each waste, the quantity of natural resources replaced by using the industrial waste along with cost economics and possible carbon dioxide emissions prevented under each initiative in different applications by 2030.