World Environment Day 2025: Reimagining Waste for Circular Cities

Curated by Vikrom Mathur

Today, Indian towns and cities generate 42 million tonnes of waste every year–and it is expected to be 436 million tonnes by 2050. Only a fraction is processed–the rest forms stinking mountains in landfills, clogs rivers, pollutes the water we drink and the air we breathe, and endangers public health. This mounting crisis will make cities unlivable unless they adopt a circular economy framework. Less waste and pollution help address climate change by lowering methane emissions from landfills and reducing urban flooding as the drains aren’t blocked with plastic waste.

Fighting this global plastic pollution crisis demands local battles in every town and city–the role of urban governance is critical. The goal of net zero has been set–cities can achieve it by embedding circular economy principles into policy and infrastructure, minimising plastic use and maximising resource reuse. No waste stream can be overlooked—from medical and food waste to e-waste and batteries, all must be addressed through circular solutions embedded in urban systems.

A sustainable circular economy needs engagement and ownership by the citizens. An inclusive strategy of participatory planning and digital governance will empower people so they can co-create solutions, especially in informal settlements lacking services. Also, waste management systems exhibit the inequities and vulnerabilities caused by caste and gender dynamics–Dalits and women make up most informal waste pickers. Empowering these groups with education, technology, and recognition helps curb plastic pollution while advancing social equity.

However, policy and technology alone are not enough; lasting progress hinges on the emergence of a ‘culture of circularity’–social norms and behaviours that embrace circularity as intrinsic to life. Cultivating a culture of waste segregation, reuse, and responsible consumption is key to building inclusive, resilient, and liveable cities.