CIRCULARITY
Inclusive circularity: Waste-free, and just too

Encouraging the use of products for as long as possible does more than optimizing the use of natural resources. It can support sustainable innovation and  efficiency, and do so without diminishing the profitability of businesses.

#Consumers #Energy #Economy
TACTICAL URBANISM
At Bhalswa, architecture meets reality

A team of young architects learns that their formal learning provides only limited guidance to tackle the stark challenges faced by those living in an uplanned colony next to a major urban dumpsite.

#Urban Poor #Society #DELHI
WASTE MANAGEMENT
Higher funding alone doesn't improve services

Urban finances do need to be strengthened, but expenditure alone is not enough to improve outcomes. A study of waste management in 27 cities shows the importance of other non-monetary influences.

#Cities #Public Funds #Government
RECYCLING
Multi-layer packaging, multiple hurdles

Waste collection and recycling management of flexible and multilayer packaging are particularly challenging. At different stages of the recycling chain, solutions must be found.

#Livelihoods #Urban Environment #Environment
WASTE MANAGEMENT
Decentralisation is better for developing economies

Urban waste continues to grow, and governments at different levels are responding with a range of approaches. There are several reasons to choose decentralisation.

#Livelihoods #Urban Environment #Urban Poor #Environment
MULTI-LAYERED PLASTICS
Inclusive design of new EPR regime is possible

Extended Producer Responsibility-based interventions can be designed to ensure that wastepickers and informal workers remain an integral part of the new regime too.

#Livelihoods #Urban Poor #Environment #MAHARASHTRA
EPR REGULATIONS
New regime, but many pending expectations

Waste pickers and others in informal recycling supply chains have long sought better terms and conditions of work, and to be heard as equals in decisions about waste management.

#Livelihoods #Urban Poor #Human Rights
RECYCLING AGENTS
Waste pickers live, work with pride

A glimpse into the lives of women waste-pickers in Pune by Suchismita Pai.

#Urban Environment #Women
WASTE DUMP
Residents of a municipal dumping site fight back

The women of Meghpar village of Kutch District are fighting the big port town Gandhidham municipality which is dumping its waste in their village. Vimal Kalavadiya and Shvetangini Patel report from Kutch.

#People #Women #GUJARAT
COMPOSTING SCAM IN BENGALURU
What's in that compost you are using: burnt waste?

A citizen’s probe unearths a racket in which toxic burnt waste is sold to farmers in the garb of vermicompost; what’s more, the packaging indicates involvement of a composting firm under the government. Shree D N and Akshatha M report from Bengaluru.

#Urban Environment #Environment #KARNATAKA
PACKAGING & THE ENVIRONMENT
Not everyone wants a plastic-free future!
PACKAGING & THE ENVIRONMENT : Not everyone wants a plastic-free future!

A petition filed by an NGO before the NGT seeks a phasing out of the use of plastic bottles and multi-layered plastic packaging, but there is a strong opposition to the proposal from a significant section of stakeholders belonging to the industry. Devanik Saha reports.

#Environmental Hazards #Economy #Environment
SWACHH BHARAT
Those brooms may not be enough to clean our waste!

The success of ‘spot fixes’ and other initiatives by independent resident-collectives or organisations in cleaning up urban spaces and dumping spots has been noteworthy, but a long-term plan for solving waste issues in Indian cities needs more. Pooja Ramamurthi explains.

#Cities #Public Funds #Government
THE URBAN VISION
Are there smarter ways to run our cities?

The ruling government has allocated 7,060 crores of rupees for development of smart cities, but do our realities allow for westernised ICT-driven smart cities? Darryl D’Monte dwells on what would really make our cities smart, based on deliberations at the second Urban Age conference.

#Cities #Urban Poor #Economy #Government
E-WASTE MANAGEMENT
When companies flout norms and regulators look away

A recent report from environmental research group Toxics Link exposes how multinationals are flagrantly violating the MoEF-notified rules on e-waste, even as the authorities empowered to enforce implementation remain passive. Richa Malhotra details the key findings.

#Consumers #Environmental Regulation #Environment
GARBAGE IN CITIES
Can new technologies tackle urban waste?
While there is certainly a difference in the methods by which waste is disposed of in the global North and South, there are new European technologies in this field which deserve to be looked at, albeit at some future date. Darryl D'Monte reports from a recent event in Naples.
#Cities #Urban Environment #Environment