Dr. Arvind Kumar*
Our planet’s trash trouble is only getting worse, with predictions that we’ll produce 70% more waste by 2050, thanks to growing cities and shifts in how we consume. The market for managing all that waste is expected to jump from $1,352.6 million in 2025 to $2,155.83 million by 2033 (growing at a rate of 6% annually). This increase is fuelled by the ever-growing amount of waste from our homes, factories, dangerous materials, and electronic waste. Speaking of e-waste, it hit a new high of 62 Mt in 2022, with only 22.3% of it being reused, and it could reach 82 million tons by 2030. Achieving a net-zero future is vital in our global battle against climate change. But with our heavy reliance on unsustainable consumption and technologies that produce excessive waste, the idea of Zero Waste becomes a critical component in reaching net-zero goals.
The waste sector contributes significantly to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity and nature loss, and pollution. A Zero Waste approach aims to contribute to environmental, economic, and social benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved community health. International Geneva, as a global hub for environmental governance, has been working to foster sound waste management, minimize and prevent waste, and build towards beating waste pollution.
As we strive for a sustainable world, we’re actually generating more waste than ever before, discarding solar panels, turbine blades, and lithium-ion batteries, to name a few. Every green solution we implement could potentially create another environmental problem if waste management isn’t a top priority. Our landfills are overflowing, recycling systems are struggling to keep up, and our “take-make-dispose” mindset is pushing the planet to its breaking point. Can we transition to a circular economy that emphasizes recycling, reusing, and reducing waste at the source? Are industries, businesses, and governments doing enough to incorporate waste management into their net-zero plans? On International Day of Zero Waste 2025, we must ask ourselves: Is waste the missing piece in our fight against climate change?
India’s Circular Revolution
India is stepping up as a leading force in the Global South, championing circular economy practices and pioneering waste innovation. To combat its waste challenges, India is adopting a multifaceted approach that includes circular economy initiatives, waste-to-energy projects, robust policies, and increased investment in sustainable technologies. The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) has been instrumental in converting waste into valuable resources. Furthermore, the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules 2024, set to take effect in October 2025, are mandating stricter waste segregation, imposing penalties for non-compliance, and promoting advanced processing techniques such as bio-methanation and pyrolysis to reduce reliance on landfills and lower methane emissions. The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy is also compelling industries to boost recycling efforts, particularly in the plastic and electronics sectors, potentially unlocking a $2 trillion circular economy by 2030.
Success stories like the SBM Waste to Wealth PMS Portal and Delhi’s Okhla Waste-to-Energy Plant, which converts 1,500 tons of waste daily into electricity for 1.5 lakh homes, showcase progress. Despite generating 170,338 tons of waste daily, India now processes over 91,500 tons efficiently, and tech-driven solutions like IoT bins and AI-powered sorting are improving efficiency. India’s unique blend of traditional practices and modern innovations positions it to share best practices with other developing nations, facilitating knowledge exchange and technological collaboration. As India continues to advance its circular economy initiatives, it not only addresses its own environmental challenges but also sets a benchmark for a zero-waste, net-zero future in the Global South.
To achieve the Net Zero 2050 scenario requires unwavering political leadership for decades to come with immense political capital, supporting strategy of rapid deployment at scale of low-carbon technologies, though fossil-fuel demand should continues to rise. Future leaders will need to embrace Prime today’s vision and push harder to win support for clean energy and the economic transformation this can deliver. As India looks to introduce a domestic carbon price, politicians must ensure consumers understand the motivation. India must also flex its diplomatic muscle and soft power. India has long maintained it is unreasonable for developing countries to make the same commitments to decarbonisation as those most responsible for historical emissions. This is a valid point, but inconsistent with our India Net Zero 2050 scenario. However, there is a clear and compelling argument for richer countries to actively support India in its efforts to decarbonise, providing both financial and technological support. India should capitalise on its blossoming political and trade relationships with the West
Achieving zero waste for a net-zero world faces challenges across behavioural, policy, economic, and infrastructural dimensions. A lack of public awareness and resistance to sustainable habits hinder widespread adoption of eco-friendly practices, while policy and regulatory gaps, including outdated waste segregation and recycling norms, as well as weak enforcement mechanisms, exacerbate the problem. Economic barriers, such as high initial investments in advanced waste management technologies, discourage businesses and governments from prioritizing sustainability. Additionally, infrastructure limitations, particularly the absence of adequate waste processing facilities in rural and peri-urban areas, further impede progress. Overcoming these challenges requires a holistic approach that combines behavioural change, stricter regulations, financial incentives, and improved infrastructure to pave the way for a zero-waste future aligned with net-zero goals.
To combat this, nations are embracing circular economy practices, turning waste into energy, and implementing stricter regulations. Germany is a front-runner with a 70% recycling rate, thanks to laws holding producers accountable and its Green Dot system. South Korea’s approach of charging for food waste has led to a 95% recycling rate for it. Japan’s sophisticated sorting technologies boost recycling efficiency, and the UAE’s Al Dhafra facility will handle 900,000 tons of municipal waste each year by 2027, generating electricity for over 52,500 households. These innovations highlight the global push toward sustainable waste management and its critical role in achieving net-zero targets.
Way Forward
On a practical level, zero waste encompasses a broad range of strategies and actions, including waste reduction, reuse, composting, recycling, conscious consumption habits, and industrial redesign. These efforts, in turn, contribute to the creation of more resilient communities and healthier environments for all.
There are several critical strategies that can significantly enhance waste management practices globally. Strengthening Policy Implementation is essential, focusing on effective monitoring and enforcement of waste management laws to ensure compliance and accountability. Investing in Research & Innovation is crucial, as fostering start-ups dedicated to sustainable materials and waste management technologies can lead to ground-breaking solutions that reduce waste generation. Public Awareness Campaigns play a vital role in encouraging citizen participation in zero-waste initiatives, educating communities about sustainable practices and their benefits. Achieving zero waste requires collective action and commitment from all stakeholders, including manufacturers, businesses, governments, and consumers. By designing products that are durable and require fewer resources, adopting more sustainable production and transportation methods, and promoting responsible consumption habits, society can move closer to a zero-waste future. It is vital to emphasize the importance of embracing zero waste principles and the need for collective action to achieve a more sustainable and equitable future.
*Editor, Focus Global Reporter
