Moving away from the ‘take-make-dispose’ model

Source:The Hindu

For Prelims:   Sustainable Development Goals, Circular Economy,  G-20,  Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Compressed BioGas (CBG).

Schemes:  The Pradhan Mantri JIVAN Yojana,  The Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources (GOBAR) Dhan, The Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT).

For Mains:  Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Strategies.

Highlights Of the Article:

• The article emphasizes the importance of Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to promote global sustainability and address key challenges.
• It discusses the Circular Economy, a powerful strategy that helps minimize resource dependence, reduce waste, and promote sustainable design practices.
• India, during its G-20 presidency, has prioritized "Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy" as a critical theme for discussion among member countries.
• Four priority areas in India's G-20 presidency are: circularity in the steel sector, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), circular bioeconomy, and establishing an industry-led resource efficiency and circular economy coalition.
• Transitioning to a Circular Steel Sector is essential to tackle emissions, reduce resource usage, and minimize wastage, especially as demand for steel grows.
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is crucial for promoting recycling infrastructure and efficient waste collection systems.
• The article highlights the importance of adopting a Circular Bioeconomy approach, using biowaste as raw materials and reducing reliance on mineral resources.
• India is taking significant steps towards biofuels through schemes like Pradhan Mantri JIVAN Yojana and Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT), which promote bioethanol and Compressed BioGas (CBG) as eco-friendly transportation fuels.
• Global platforms like G-20 provide opportunities for collective efforts in tackling sustainability challenges and promoting circular economy solutions.

Context:

The context of the article is focused on resource efficiency and circular economy strategies, particularly in the context of India's G-20 presidency. It highlights the importance of transitioning from a traditional "take-make-dispose" model to a more sustainable "reduce-reuse-recycle" approach.

UPSC EXAM NOTES ANALYSIS:

1.Resource efficiency & Circular Economy:

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015. The SDGs are a call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all.

Resource efficiency and circular economy are important strategies for achieving the SDGs. Resource efficiency is about using less resources to produce the same amount of goods and services. Circular economy is about designing products and systems so that they can be reused, repaired, or recycled at the end of their life.

A circular economy is an economic system that aims to eliminate waste and pollution by keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible. In a circular economy, products are designed to be easily disassembled and recycled, and waste is seen as a resource that can be reused or repurposed.

The circular economy is a key strategy for achieving the SDGs. It can help to reduce pollution, conserve resources, and create jobs.

India is a member of the G-20. During its presidency of the G-20 in 2022, India has prioritized resource efficiency and circular economy.

2.Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR):

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy that requires producers of goods to take responsibility for the environmental impact of their products, even after the products have been sold. EPR can be used to encourage producers to design more sustainable products and to make it easier for consumers to recycle and dispose of products at the end of their life.

India has implemented EPR for several products, including plastic packaging, electronic waste, and batteries.

3.Compressed BioGas (CBG):

Compressed BioGas (CBG) is a type of renewable energy that is produced from organic waste. CBG can be used to generate electricity, heat, or transportation fuel.

India is promoting the use of CBG as a clean and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. The Pradhan Mantri JIVAN Yojana, The Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources (GOBAR) Dhan, and The Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) are all schemes that are aimed at promoting the use of CBG in India.

4.Conclusion

Resource efficiency and circular economy are important strategies for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The G-20 is a forum where countries can come together to discuss and implement these strategies. India has made resource efficiency and circular economy a priority during its presidency of the G-20. By implementing EPR and promoting the use of CBG, India is showing the world that it is committed to building a more sustainable future.