Circular Economy: The Lead to Holistic Waste Management
Viresh Keshri is a climate tech entrepreneur with over 14 years of experience in sustainability and waste management. He serves as the Senior Advisor at Ye Prayas, an initiative focused on creating sustainable solutions. He is also the founder of OffsetGo, driving carbon market solutions to support India’s NETZERO 2070 goal. Prior to this, Viresh has held several key roles at earlier companies like Recykal and Deshwal Waste Management, leading business development and circular economy initiatives. With a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing and International Business from IILM, he combines strategic vision with hands-on leadership to make a lasting impact in the climate tech and sustainability sectors.
In a recent interaction with M R Yuvatha, Senior Correspondent at siliconindia, Viresh Keshri shared his insights on ‘Circular Economy: The Lead to Holistic Waste Management’.
Waste management is essential for protecting the environment and promoting sustainability. To achieve sustainability goals, a holistic approach must be adopted, emphasizing waste prevention, circular economy principles, technological advancements, and aligning waste management practices with global sustainability standards. Companies should integrate eco-design, adopt smart purchasing and selling practices, as much of waste management depends on sustainable purchasing decisions. When companies choose sustainable goods, recycling rates improve, and the outcomes of recycling become more effective.
Additionally, companies can work on establishing waste-to-energy plants to transform waste into energy, further enhancing recycling standards. They should also aim to reduce landfill waste through proper disposal strategies and focus on guiding end-of-life resources back into the system, reducing reliance on a linear economy and embracing circular economy practices. By implementing these strategies at both the community and corporate levels, companies can contribute to achieving global sustainability standards and beyond.
The Game-Changing Power of Technology in Waste Management
Technology, technology, and technology is the way forward. It is a game changer. When technology is discussed, everything must be considered, especially when looking for scale or integrating new developing technologies like AI. For instance, a sorting machine can process around 1000 pictures and recognize what kind of waste is being processed. AI can be very helpful in recognizing waste, such as plastics and e-waste. Currently, sorting machines only handle ferrous and non-ferrous commitments, but with AI advancements, waste categorization can become more precise. AI excels in that aspect.
Furthermore, for example, if we consider planting trees in a hilly area without direct access to monitor growth, water content, moisture, and other factors, IoT can be helpful in providing the required information each evening, and data like moisture content, air purification levels, and soil conditions can be accessed directly from a desktop. Hence, proved IoT again is a game changer.
Another challenge that persists in waste management and other industries is traceability. It is often difficult to trace consumption patterns and understand how operations are functioning. However, with blockchain integration, exact traceability becomes possible. For instance, blockchain can accurately show how much waste is collected from a village in Gujarat, providing valuable data to support informed decision-making. Even, information about consumption patterns and disposal methods will be readily accessible. This technology proves to be a powerful tool for scaling operations and gathering data effectively.
Unlocking India's Recycling Potential
In India, despite ongoing discussions on recycling infrastructures, progress remains stagnant. While infrastructure investment is possible, the main challenge in waste management lies in collection. Improving waste collection and sorting could resolve 90 percent of the issue through the development of infrastructure that ensures efficient waste categorization. Recycling facilities already exist, so once the waste is sorted, it can be easily directed to industries that handle plastics, electronic waste, and wires. However, the biggest challenge lies in waste collection. This challenge also presents significant employment opportunities, ranging from engineers designing composting machines to maintenance personnel and collection staff. These roles would create jobs that benefit both companies and the country.
Government's Role in Driving Waste Management and Cultural Change
Governments play a crucial role in waste management, and raising awareness is the first step. It is the government's primary responsibility to educate the public about proper waste disposal, including the correct use of bins. The issue of waste categorization often begins at the source, which makes it essential for governments to address this as a priority. Two key factors drive change: awareness and penalties. While raising awareness is a valuable initiative, imposing fines for littering can also encourage responsible behavior. Local authorities should adopt a multi-faceted approach that includes incentivizing recycling and collection partners through tax rebates and subsidies. Recognizing their hygienic practices and contributions can motivate more individuals to participate, ultimately fostering a culture of sustainability and shared responsibility.
Awareness is the key responsibility that governments should take on to bring about a cultural shift. The concept of a cultural shift can be explained through various perspectives. For instance, within religious groups such as Hindu and Muslim communities, it is crucial to understand the environmental impact of certain practices. During Holi, the colors used in the celebrations end up flowing into rivers and eventually return to households. Additionally, idols of deities like Saraswati and Lakshmi, which are submerged in rivers along with paint, contribute to water pollution. This contamination affects our water supplies, reaching fields, homes, and even entering people’s bodies, leading to health issues. However, any shift towards better practices must happen gradually rather than abruptly, similar to the approach taken in Sri Lanka that could lead people understand the consequences of their actions.
There are many ways to create awareness about environmental values, and one effective method is through educational materials such as textbooks. Ye Prayas (a waste management services company) has developed a book titled ‘Know a Complete Module’, with one volume already released and nine more planned. This program targets fifth and sixth graders, teaching them important practices like the 3R’s: Reduce, Reuse, And Recycle. These children, 20 years from now, could become leaders or even CEOs of major companies, incorporating sustainable thinking into their decision-making processes. Robust awareness programs like this ensure that future leaders understand waste management and promote sustainable industry practices.
Embracing the Circular Economy for a Sustainable Future
The circular economy is the only viable option, as relying on a linear economy where materials are procured, used, and discarded as garbage is no longer sustainable for survival. Circular economy solutions are revolutionizing waste management by transforming waste into valuable resources. For instance, waste can be converted into electricity, CNG, or other reusable materials, marking a significant shift. In today’s scenario, designing systems and materials to be reused, recycled, and repurposed is crucial. Organic waste is composted, plastics are recycled into new products, and non-recyclable waste is converted into energy. Managing recyclable and non-recyclable materials collectively, identifying proper recycling facilities, and exploring reuse options are essential steps to ensure a sustainable future for the next generations.
Final Note
First of all, people should start reading the reports which are currently available. People can visit sites online and access a lot of reports. At least they should start understanding the environment as an industry, the actions being done against the environment and the measures that should be taken instead. This is one aspect that people have to take care of. Also, people should work on taking environmental and economic decisions in very right ways. It cannot be said, ‘I will pollute because I’m getting money to pollute’. While products may be sold and money earned, this approach is ultimately not right. There should be discussions about how the economy should be increased by enhancing recycling and waste management.
In a recent interaction with M R Yuvatha, Senior Correspondent at siliconindia, Viresh Keshri shared his insights on ‘Circular Economy: The Lead to Holistic Waste Management’.
Waste management is essential for protecting the environment and promoting sustainability. To achieve sustainability goals, a holistic approach must be adopted, emphasizing waste prevention, circular economy principles, technological advancements, and aligning waste management practices with global sustainability standards. Companies should integrate eco-design, adopt smart purchasing and selling practices, as much of waste management depends on sustainable purchasing decisions. When companies choose sustainable goods, recycling rates improve, and the outcomes of recycling become more effective.
Additionally, companies can work on establishing waste-to-energy plants to transform waste into energy, further enhancing recycling standards. They should also aim to reduce landfill waste through proper disposal strategies and focus on guiding end-of-life resources back into the system, reducing reliance on a linear economy and embracing circular economy practices. By implementing these strategies at both the community and corporate levels, companies can contribute to achieving global sustainability standards and beyond.
The Game-Changing Power of Technology in Waste Management
Technology, technology, and technology is the way forward. It is a game changer. When technology is discussed, everything must be considered, especially when looking for scale or integrating new developing technologies like AI. For instance, a sorting machine can process around 1000 pictures and recognize what kind of waste is being processed. AI can be very helpful in recognizing waste, such as plastics and e-waste. Currently, sorting machines only handle ferrous and non-ferrous commitments, but with AI advancements, waste categorization can become more precise. AI excels in that aspect.
Furthermore, for example, if we consider planting trees in a hilly area without direct access to monitor growth, water content, moisture, and other factors, IoT can be helpful in providing the required information each evening, and data like moisture content, air purification levels, and soil conditions can be accessed directly from a desktop. Hence, proved IoT again is a game changer.
Another challenge that persists in waste management and other industries is traceability. It is often difficult to trace consumption patterns and understand how operations are functioning. However, with blockchain integration, exact traceability becomes possible. For instance, blockchain can accurately show how much waste is collected from a village in Gujarat, providing valuable data to support informed decision-making. Even, information about consumption patterns and disposal methods will be readily accessible. This technology proves to be a powerful tool for scaling operations and gathering data effectively.
Unlocking India's Recycling Potential
In India, despite ongoing discussions on recycling infrastructures, progress remains stagnant. While infrastructure investment is possible, the main challenge in waste management lies in collection. Improving waste collection and sorting could resolve 90 percent of the issue through the development of infrastructure that ensures efficient waste categorization. Recycling facilities already exist, so once the waste is sorted, it can be easily directed to industries that handle plastics, electronic waste, and wires. However, the biggest challenge lies in waste collection. This challenge also presents significant employment opportunities, ranging from engineers designing composting machines to maintenance personnel and collection staff. These roles would create jobs that benefit both companies and the country.
The circular economy is the only viable option, as relying on a linear economy where materials are procured, used, and discarded as garbage is no longer sustainable for survival.
Government's Role in Driving Waste Management and Cultural Change
Governments play a crucial role in waste management, and raising awareness is the first step. It is the government's primary responsibility to educate the public about proper waste disposal, including the correct use of bins. The issue of waste categorization often begins at the source, which makes it essential for governments to address this as a priority. Two key factors drive change: awareness and penalties. While raising awareness is a valuable initiative, imposing fines for littering can also encourage responsible behavior. Local authorities should adopt a multi-faceted approach that includes incentivizing recycling and collection partners through tax rebates and subsidies. Recognizing their hygienic practices and contributions can motivate more individuals to participate, ultimately fostering a culture of sustainability and shared responsibility.
Awareness is the key responsibility that governments should take on to bring about a cultural shift. The concept of a cultural shift can be explained through various perspectives. For instance, within religious groups such as Hindu and Muslim communities, it is crucial to understand the environmental impact of certain practices. During Holi, the colors used in the celebrations end up flowing into rivers and eventually return to households. Additionally, idols of deities like Saraswati and Lakshmi, which are submerged in rivers along with paint, contribute to water pollution. This contamination affects our water supplies, reaching fields, homes, and even entering people’s bodies, leading to health issues. However, any shift towards better practices must happen gradually rather than abruptly, similar to the approach taken in Sri Lanka that could lead people understand the consequences of their actions.
There are many ways to create awareness about environmental values, and one effective method is through educational materials such as textbooks. Ye Prayas (a waste management services company) has developed a book titled ‘Know a Complete Module’, with one volume already released and nine more planned. This program targets fifth and sixth graders, teaching them important practices like the 3R’s: Reduce, Reuse, And Recycle. These children, 20 years from now, could become leaders or even CEOs of major companies, incorporating sustainable thinking into their decision-making processes. Robust awareness programs like this ensure that future leaders understand waste management and promote sustainable industry practices.
Embracing the Circular Economy for a Sustainable Future
The circular economy is the only viable option, as relying on a linear economy where materials are procured, used, and discarded as garbage is no longer sustainable for survival. Circular economy solutions are revolutionizing waste management by transforming waste into valuable resources. For instance, waste can be converted into electricity, CNG, or other reusable materials, marking a significant shift. In today’s scenario, designing systems and materials to be reused, recycled, and repurposed is crucial. Organic waste is composted, plastics are recycled into new products, and non-recyclable waste is converted into energy. Managing recyclable and non-recyclable materials collectively, identifying proper recycling facilities, and exploring reuse options are essential steps to ensure a sustainable future for the next generations.
Final Note
First of all, people should start reading the reports which are currently available. People can visit sites online and access a lot of reports. At least they should start understanding the environment as an industry, the actions being done against the environment and the measures that should be taken instead. This is one aspect that people have to take care of. Also, people should work on taking environmental and economic decisions in very right ways. It cannot be said, ‘I will pollute because I’m getting money to pollute’. While products may be sold and money earned, this approach is ultimately not right. There should be discussions about how the economy should be increased by enhancing recycling and waste management.
