Draft National Resource Efficiency Policy

• Against the backdrop of resource depletion in India the MoEFCC has drafted a National Resource Efficiency Policy (NREP).

About the Policy

• It aims to double the recycling rate of key materials to 50% in the next five years and enable upcycling of waste.
• The agenda is to develop a circular economy.
• This can be achieved by two measures—

1. by recycling the materials, and
2. by increasing the efficiency of use of these resources.

• The draft has proposed significant policy instruments like addressing regulatory gaps in implementation of waste laws, landfill taxes, high tipping fees especially for bulk generators of waste, etc.

National Resource Efficiency Authority

• The draft policy envisions setting up a National Resource Efficiency Authority which will help develop resource efficiency strategies for different sectors and adopt them into a three-year action plan.
• To begin with, seven key sectors have been identified—automobile, plastic packaging, building and construction sector, electrical and electronic equipment sector, solar photo-voltaic sector, and steel and aluminium sector.

Why need such Policy?

• Linear production and consumption is leading to a lot of wastage in the entire value chain.
• Opportunities exist at each and every stage of the product cycle which can be utilized, especially at a time, when the economy is going through a rough patch.

For various sectors

The Automobile Sector

• The NGT had imposed ban on diesel vehicles more than ten years old in the National Capital Region in view of the rising pollution levels.
• Following which, more vehicles will end up as end-of-life vehicles.
• Under the policy, the government plans to set up centres to collect such vehicles and carry out the deregistration process, and shredding centres which would segregate materials for recycling.
• As many as 20 official dismantlers would be established across major urban centres by 2020.
• The plan is to ensure 75% recycling rate for vehicles made before 1990, 85% recycling rate for vehicles made between 1990 and 2000, and 90% recycling rate for vehicles made after 2000.

Plastic wastes

• Another concern is plastic waste, contributing 8% of the total solid waste.
• The draft policy aims to achieve a 100% recycling and reuse rate polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic by 2025.

Construction materials

• The draft policy also aims to gradually reducing dependence on virgin materials and enhance re-use of construction and demolition waste.
• There will be emphasis on developing codes and standards for quality of secondary raw materials to ensure confidence in the product, so that by 2025, at least 30% of total public procurement of construction materials can be from recycled materials.