11,000 billion tonnes of garbage accumulated in India: Environment minister Bhupender Yadav

Kolkata: With emphasis on "circular economy", Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav said on Tuesday in Kolkata that there is 11,000 billion tonnes of garbage accumulated in India which has an opportunity to be recycled.

The "circular economy" emphasizes on reuse and recycling waste and "turning waste to wealth" is the main motto of the central government, Yadav said. “All the relevant departments are working towards a "circular economy" with the Union Ministry for Environment working as the nodal ministry.”

“Circular economy is the need of the hour. Every department is working on it. Urban department, Steel Ministry, Chemical Department-everyone is working on it. They have contributed through programmes and promotion. “Circular Economy” means how we reuse, recycle and reproduce things. It is applicable for every department,” Yadav said.


“What we are taking from nature, we must give back. At least some part of it, instead of producing garbage, Yadav added. He also mentioned that the Environment ministry is working as the Nodal ministry. Electronic Policy Regulation (EPR) has been framed to manage e-waste, the minister said. Yadaav was speaking at a programme at a session on “Vision East- Green Initiatives led Growth & Employment” organized by Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

“The green initiative as discussed in the budget has shown us a clear path to work on reducing carbon emissions and climate change that would eventually lead to sustainable development for our country,” Director General of ICC Rajeev Singh said.