New Delhi: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has launched the second edition of the National Circular Economy Framework (NCEF) outlining comprehensive action plans targeting 16 critical materials. The updated framework is a step towards fostering a sustainable and resource-efficient economy, emphasising innovative approaches to waste management and resource conservation.
Introduced initially in 2023, the NCEF represents a collaborative effort among the government, industries, and communities to embed circular economy principles into India's growth strategy. The framework aligns with India's commitments under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).
The NCEF is divided into two key sections to guide India’s transition to a sustainable economy.
Part 1 of the comprehensive framework section outlines universal principles — Prevention, Upcycling, Recycling, and Energy Recovery — to reduce virgin material use, conserve resources, and enhance competitiveness. It includes criteria for material selection based on usage, environmental impact, and resource value, alongside strategies for implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
Part 2 presents tailored action plans for specific materials, building on the 2023 framework by including new focus areas such as liquid waste, scrap metal, lithium-ion batteries, solar panels, gypsum, hazardous waste, used oil, agricultural waste, tires, end-of-life vehicles, and textiles. These additions address materials with significant potential for reducing waste, recovering resources, and delivering environmental advantages.
The 2024 edition builds on the foundation of the original framework with a heightened focus on resource security, promoting efficient use of materials to ensure long-term availability; carbon reduction from critical materials like steel, glass, and plastics; and energy efficiency, aligning with India's net-zero goals through holistic lifecycle assessments.
The second edition was launched earlier this month at the CII's 9th International Conference on Waste to Worth held in New Delhi.
In his address, Masood Mallick, Chairman of the CII National Committee on Waste to Worth Technologies, Managing Director & CEO, Re Sustainability, said: "Renewable energy alone cannot achieve our net zero goals, as over 40% of our carbon footprint is embedded in materials such as steel, glass, wood, concrete, and plastics. To bridge this gap, we must focus on decarbonizing these materials through innovative recycling and resource recovery practices, transforming waste into valuable inputs for a sustainable future."
NCEF 2024: Goals And Initiatives For 16 Critical Waste Materials
The action plans target 16 critical materials to drive India’s transition to a sustainable circular economy. These are:
- Municipal Solid Waste
- Domestic and Industrial Wastewater
- Scrap Metal
- E-Waste
- Lithium-Ion Batteries
- Solar Panels
- Plastics
- Agricultural Waste
- Gypsum
- Used Oil
- Toxic and Hazardous Waste
- Tyres and Rubber
- End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs)
- Construction and Demolition Waste
- Textile Waste
- Liquid Waste
For municipal solid waste, the plan aims for 100% segregation, improved recycling, and reduced landfill dependency, supported by waste-to-energy solutions. In the case of domestic and industrial wastewater, the emphasis is on reusing treated water in agriculture and industries, with a push towards decentralised wastewater treatment systems.
The framework addresses scrap metal by promoting increased collection, recycling, and energy-efficient processing to lower emissions. Similarly, e-waste management focuses on take-back programs, refurbishing, and aligning with global best practices for material recovery. For lithium-ion batteries, efforts are directed towards building a robust recycling ecosystem and reusing recovered metals in manufacturing.
To manage solar panel waste, infrastructure for panel recycling is prioritized, along with addressing hazardous material concerns during disposal. For plastics, the focus is on reducing single-use plastics and strengthening Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks, while agricultural waste strategies include promoting composting, bioenergy production, and improving rural collection systems.
Gypsum waste is to be utilised in construction and cement production, leveraging industrial reuse opportunities. The framework encourages re-refining and blending of used oil into lubricants, backed by standards for collection and quality assurance. Toxic and hazardous waste management includes strengthening regulations for traceability, safe disposal, and formalising informal recycling sectors.
For tyres and rubber, the plans include adopting pyrolysis for material recovery and promoting recycled rubber in road construction. Management of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) emphasises dismantling and reusing components, supported by certified recycling hubs. For construction and demolition waste, the framework incentivises recycling materials like concrete and steel and mandates the use of recycled aggregates in public projects.
Finally, the framework targets textile waste by encouraging repair, resale, and recycling while promoting circular business models in fashion. For liquid waste, innovative technologies for converting waste into biofuels are explored, alongside promoting zero-liquid discharge systems in industries.
You can find the full NCEF 2024 report by CII here:
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