AKAM 75 programs to promote Scrap recycling and waste utilization for a Sustainable India

India as an ambitious nation with a big dream to achieve sustainable development goals is playing a prominent role in the formulation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 and much of the country’s National Development Agenda is mirrored in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). India has traversed a long way over the last 75 years and aspires to reach even greater milestones. It is also a tribute to the millennial India that understands its priorities for the next 25 years and is gearing up to face and overcome its challenges. In this context, India is celebrating “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” (AKAM), the government’s initiative to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of India’s independence and the glorioushistory of its people, cultures, and achievements. It is not merely a celebration of India’s 75th year of independence but it is our duty to protect this economy. On this occasion, India holds the Presidency of the G20 which is the premier forum for international economic cooperation from 1 Dec 2022 to 30 Nov 2023. Under India’s G20 presidency, the emphasis is laid on promoting the circular economy, reducing waste and environmental pollution wherein, scrap metal recycling is vital to achieving carbon neutralization targets and circular economy benefits.

Ministry of Mines and Ministry of Steel, Government of India in collaboration with JNARDDC and Ministry of Mines PSU (NALCO) and Ministry of Steel PSUs (NMDC & MSTC) along with MRAI will be organizing a series of events to mark the celebration of the “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) – CIRCULAR ECONOMY Campaign – 2023”, which is based on Sustainability/Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE). To start with the “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) – CIRCULAR ECONOMY Campaign – 2023”, JNARDDC along with MRAI is organizing an Awareness Conference on “Sustainable & Circular Bharat: Towards Zero Waste in Metals Processing” on Saturday, 7th April 2023 from 05.00 p.m. onwards at The Palm Court, Ludhiana. There will be four factory visits at Mandi Gobindgarh & Ludhiana on 6th April 2023 and 7th April 2023. The program focuses on sustainability in Steel and Non-Ferrous metals (Aluminium, Copper, Lead, and Zinc). As a part of the AKAM campaign, the Ministry of Mines and the Ministry of Steel have planned 75 programs to promote scrap recycling and waste utilization which include 40 plant visits, 27 awareness conferences, 7 academic activities, and one culmination conference program starting from April 2023, and it will be completed by July 2023. As we understand that most of our natural resources are finite therefore it is critical that the world finds an environmentally and economically viable way of using these scarce resources.

The metal sector needs to be at the forefront of the circular economy model in view of its pervasive applications besides the inherent potential of metals to be amenable and adaptable to business models following the 6R principles of Reduce, Recycle, Reuse, Recover, Redesign, and Remanufacture. It also aims to increase awareness about waste utilization and the scrap recycling industry and to adapt sustainability-driven changes to their production and entire supply chain which involves all the stakeholders with a commitment to maximizing the contribution of the metal industry to a sustainable society. Our PM Modiji’s vision is to make India more sustainable by promoting a circular economy which implies that Recycling is the future of our country. PM Modi ji vision is to make India’s policies while focusing on requirements for not just the present but also for the next 25 years. This campaign emphasizes adopting new technologies to achieve zero carbon emissions will enable us to achieve the sustainable development goal and converge PM’s mission LiFE which is a movement for “mindful and deliberate utilization, instead of mindless and destructive consumption” to protect and preserve the environment. MRAI is a National Association of India, representing the interest of the recycling industry with over 1400 members, including most Regional Trade/Product Associations, indirectly employing 25 lakh people, spanning recycling and recyclable commodities including Metals (both Ferrous & Non-Ferrous), Plastic, Paper, E-waste, Tyre & Rubber, Textile, Glass, Automobile, Construction & Demolition Waste, and Water.”