India Earned Rs 4,000 Crore from Scrap, Says Jitendra Singh
Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday said the world is witnessing a paradigm shift towards a circular economy, where the concept of “waste” is rapidly fading and discarded materials are increasingly being viewed as sources of economic value.
Citing the outcomes of the Swachhata campaign, the Minister said the government has earned over Rs 4,000 crore from scrap, including e-waste, reflecting the growing financial potential of resource recovery.
He was addressing the second edition of the Global Symposium and Awards on Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy in New Delhi, which brought together representatives from government, industry, research institutions and international organisations, including European and German delegations.
Dr Singh said the emerging circular economy model, supported by recycling and biotechnology-driven innovations, is set to reshape industrial growth and sustainability across sectors.
He noted that environmental discourse has evolved from a focus on conservation to recognising its economic dimension, with sustainability now increasingly seen as a revenue-generating opportunity.
“The next phase of industrial development will be driven by recycling, biotechnology and genetically oriented processes,” he said, adding that experts view this transition as a foundation for the next industrial phase globally.
Highlighting practical examples, the Minister said materials once treated as waste — such as plastic, used cooking oil and industrial by-products like steel slag — are now being converted into valuable resources, including inputs for road construction, biofuels and other industrial applications.
He pointed out that industries which earlier incurred costs to dispose of waste are now generating returns from it.
Referring to nationwide cleanliness drives, Dr Singh said the collection and processing of electronic waste alone has generated revenues exceeding Rs 4,000 crore, indicating the scale of untapped potential in the sector.
He added that the benefits of a circular economy extend beyond large industries to households, the informal sector, startups and MSMEs, creating new livelihood and business opportunities.
The Minister stressed the role of public participation and behavioural change in driving large-scale transformation, stating that industry, startups and civil society must actively contribute alongside government efforts.
He also said India is witnessing a shift in value chains, with emerging opportunities in waste management, green technologies and circular production systems, which will support the country’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
Dr Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director of BIRAC, highlighted India’s traditional strengths in circular practices rooted in its cultural and agricultural systems, and called for integrating this legacy with modern scientific innovation.
He said BIRAC continues to support startups working on green technologies and sustainable solutions, while promoting lifecycle-based approaches and mechanisms such as carbon credits.
