Lifestyle for the Environment – LiFE Movement’ provides a way to protect environment

On completion of the NDA Government’s nine years in office. Today we take a look at the circular economy which entails markets to give incentives for reusing products, rather than scrapping them and then extracting new resources. In such an economy, all forms of waste, such as clothes, scrap metal and obsolete electronics, are returned to the economy or used more efficiently.

This can provide a way to not only protect the environment but use natural resources more wisely, develop new sectors, create jobs and develop new capabilities. The Central Government has been actively formulating policies and promoting projects to drive the country towards a circular economy. 

The key to an Atmanirbhar Bharat is sustainable growth. A circular economy path adopted by India could bring in substantial annual benefits, along with a significant reduction in congestion and pollution, which would consequently have a snowball effect on the economy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year launched a global initiative ‘Lifestyle for the Environment – LiFE Movement’.

This was proposed by him at COP26. Prime Minister said, Mission LiFE borrows from the past, operates in the present and focuses on the future. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle are the concepts woven into our life. The Circular Economy has been an integral part of our culture and lifestyle, He added.

The Union Government has already notified various rules, such as the Plastic Waste Management Rules, e-Waste Management Rules, Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, Metals Recycling Policy, etc., in this regard. To expedite the transition of the country from a linear to a circular economy, 11 committees were formed to prepare a comprehensive action plan.

Various ministries have published policy papers for the implementation of circular economy in respective fields. All India Council for Technical Education has introduced an elective credit point course on circular economy.