Waste Reduction, Circular Economy and Enhanced Livelihoods

Ideas From Near and Afar

The goal of this conference was to provide a shared platform for global and domestic stakeholders – 27 policymakers, scientists, engineers, civil society organisations and practitioners shared their work, challenges and successes in reducing the burden of waste, with a view to contributing to knowledge and ideas to promote circular economy, fair livelihoods for grassroots actors and offer directions for policymaking in the specific Indian context.

Circulating Tyres in the Economy

A Waste to Wealth Approach

This policy brief is based on Chintan’s study ‘Circulating Tyres in the Economy: A Waste to Wealth Approach to Old Tyres’. It draws from Chintan’s extensive experience in informal waste management and recycling in northern India to shed light on the economic and environmental benefits of utilising Crumb Rubber Modified Bitumen (CRMB) made from ELTs for road construction and maintenance in India.

Tasty Frugal Green

The Gourmet’s Guide to Sustainable Eating

India has had a rich tradition—one that we are fast losing—of using almost every part of a fruit or vegetable as food. Some of this was due to a centuries-old understanding of how nutritious these parts are, such as jackfruit seeds, which are very high in protein. Some of it was due to a culture of frugality. And some of it was simply on account of ecological conditions—watermelon rind was popular in arid regions, for example, because it contains a lot of water, and few vegetables and fruit grow in such areas anyway. Nothing could be wasted.

Wastepickers: Delhi’s Forgotten Environmentalists?

India’s waste woes: India is drowning under its own waste. Recent estimates suggest that per capita waste generation is currently 0.57kg/day and is expected to double by 2025. Land􏰀ills are 􏰀illed, waste-to-energy is polluting the air and waste lies uncollected.

Making Delhi Swachh

Participatory Solid Waste Management Policy for Delhi

In the past few years, Delhi has been experiencing tremendous increase in the amount of waste that is being generated by its occupants. Although the exact amount of waste generated cannot be accurately calculated, most conservative sources suggest that Department of Environment, Government Delhi produces at least 8000 tons of waste every day. This counts amongst the highest any city produces in India, next only , or perhaps equal to, Mumbai.

Groundwater Contamination

This report comprises a survey of various scientific studies on groundwater contamination from improper waste disposal in India. It uses this secondary data to make a link between ground water contamination and human health.

Analysis of the End of Life Vehicles (ELVs) Sector in India

This study follows up a previous 2012 publication by GIZ and Chintan (Annexure 2) that delved into ELV management in and around Delhi. The present effort draws a broader and more systematic picture of the ELV sector in India, by looking at five other major automotive production hubs, and the thriving ELV markets that developed around them: Kolkata, Chennai, Pune, Jamshedpur and Indore.

E Waste Sutra

A graphic book by Chintan and Damage Control. Supported by GIZ.

Light Without the Poison

Putting an End to Mercury Escape from CFL Bulbs (2014)

The use of Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) is increasing in India. Although this is a positive development given the energy efficiency of CFLs, these lamps contain trace amounts of mercury which, if disposed off in an environmentally unsound manner, can have an adverse impact on both health and the environment. This report aims to understand better how used CFLs are handled in India; the stages of dismantling and recycling of CFL; the stakeholders involved in CFL disposal; and the awareness level and attitude of the stakeholders towards safe handling of CFLs. The report also proposes to develop a model for the safe disposal and recycling of CFLs in Delhi. This model can be replicated across the country with minor adjustments to account for the price of CFL components in local areas.

The Story of a Dying Car in India`

Understanding the Economic and Materials Flow of End-of-Life vehicles (2013)

This report aims to present a clear picture of what happens to a vehicle in India at the end of its life-cycle. The study provides a better understanding of the economics of the recycling of ELVs in India, as well as an insight into the attitudes, knowledge, and practices of the ELV handlers. The major focus of the study is the economic, environmental, and social challenges that emanate from a change in status quo. The report also presents a series of recommendations on how to improve the resource efficiency of the ELV industry in India and a system to recognize and formalize the work of a currently largely informal sector, and ways for vehicle manufacturers to take responsibility for the products they release in the market.