Waste

India's waste management crisis has serious implications for its environment, economy and public health. We focus on creating technologies and solutions that minimize waste generation and convert all waste into useful products. This includes initiatives to promote a circular economy through resource efficient and cleaner production in industries, and maximize resource recovery and recycling for landfill-free cities.

waste

NEW IN WASTE

  • oilzapper

     

    Policy Brief

    Maximising Resource Efficiency and Circularity in the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Value Chain and the E-Waste Sector

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  • energy access

     

    Article

    Refurbishing Plastic for Climate Action: Finding Value in 'Waste'

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  • micro credit

    Event

    WasteMAP Workshop on 'Key Strategies for Organic Waste Management'

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  • rural-energy

    Policy Brief

    Internationalizing Lifestyles For Environment: Messages For G20

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  • plenary landfill

    Blog

    Creating awareness among school children for leveraging the use of treated wastewater in India

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Projects

Articles

Waste to wonder: zinc mining waste can be source for magic plant-nutrients

Urbanization and industrialization have placed a heavy load on the environment by generating billion tons of harmful garbage every year. A study by TERI found India, in a year, produces over 62 million tons (MT) of waste, making it a leading cause of environmental and public health concerns in the country.

Towards a Circular Plastics Economy: India’s Actions to #BeatPlasticPollution

Dr Girija K Bharat

World Environment Day 2023 serves as an important reminder that the actions we take to mitigate plastic pollution have a significant impact. Now, more than ever, we must intensify these efforts and swiftly transition to a circular economy. Avanti Roy-Basu and Girija K Bharat say that as the world celebrates World Environment Day in 2023, focusing on “solutions to plastic pollution under the campaign #BeatPlasticPollution”, it is crucial to understand that each one of us has multiple roles to play in addressing this global crisis.

Microbeads: A Brewing Environmental Concern

Mr Kaushik Chandrasekhar

The prevalence of microplastics in the environment has become a major global concern. Plastics based on their size are broadly classified as Macro and Microplastics (<5 mm) and enter the environment through various routes.

A link towards integrating informal sector may complete the EPR mechanism

Mr Kaushik Chandrasekhar
,
Dr Suneel Pandey

India generates close to 3.46 million tonnes of plastic waste annually and CPCB estimates suggest close to 60% of this waste is recycled.

नए प्लास्टिक नियमों के ठोस निष्पादन से हो सकता है कचरा प्रबंधन में सुधार

Mr Kaushik Chandrasekhar

सरकार की इतनी बड़ी मात्रा में जमा हो रहे कचरे से निपटने की प्रतिबद्धता का पता प्लास्टिक अपशिष्ट प्रबंधन नियम 2016 से चलता है जिसमें सरकार ने अगस्त 2021 में तीसरी बार संशोधन किया है। अगस्त 2021 में भारत सरकार द्वारा किए गए संशोधन से यह पता लगता है कि भारत इस मुद्दे का समाधान खोजने के लिए नए-नए प्रयास कर रहा है। हालांकि इस मामले में राजनीतिक सहमति के साथ-साथ नीतिगत हस्तक्षेपों के नतीजे सकारात्मक रहे हैं, लेकिन नीतियों का जमीनी स्तर पर निष्पादन अब भी एक बड़ी चुनौती बना हुआ है।

Events

Tata Projects delegation visit at TERI Gwal Pahari Campus

August 9, 2024
to August 9, 2024

On August 9, 2024, TERI welcomed Tata Projects’ delegation to its Gwal Pahari Campus for a comprehensive overview of TERI’s research work and sustainable practices. The visit aimed to align with Tata Projects’ sustainability goals and Tata Group’s Aalingana initiative, which is the north star of Tata Group’s sustainability journey.

Book Release: TERI Energy & Environment Data Diary and Yearbook (TEDDY) 2022-23

January 23, 2024
to January 23, 2024

TERI Energy & Environment Data Diary and Yearbook (TEDDY) is an annual publication brought out by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) since 1986. TEDDY presents latest information on energy supply sectors (coal and lignite, petroleum and natural gas, power and renewable energy sources), energy demand sectors (agriculture, industry, transport, residential, and commercial sectors), and environment (local and global). It seeks to support policy research and decision-making by providing policymakers and researchers with the data which can be used to develop actionable solutions.

Webinar on “Achieving Sustainable Waste Management: Circular Economy Approach”

May 24, 2023
to May 24, 2023

24 May 2023 | 14:30 hrs to 16:30 hrs

INOPOL Final Dissemination Event

October 17, 2022
to October 17, 2022

On 17th October 2022 | 10:30 AM - 02:00 PM

Webinar on Plastic Waste Management and impact on Human Health

October 8, 2021
to October 8, 2021

The interactive webinar aims to expand on the issue of plastic waste management and its impact on human health.

News

TERI’s movie on recycling to be screened in cinema halls soon, Sawant launches video

October 22, 2024 |
November 7, 2024
The Times of India

A short film created to raise awareness about pollution by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) is set to be screened in theatres across Goa soon. The 1.8-minute film will be shown before regular movies and will also be shown at theatres across India later. The film is based on a study conducted by TERI found that out of all packaging, the aluminium ones can was the most environmentally-friendly in the scenario of climate change as these cans can be recycled infinitely.

Solid waste management should be tried from home

October 16, 2024 |
October 16, 2024
Hindustan

A national seminar on the subject of solid waste management was organized by Prithvi Innovations and TERI at Bhasha Vishwavidyalaya. Chief guest and Dr PK Bhattacharya, Associate Director, TERI said that we will have to move towards cleanliness, packets of chips and cold beverages should be thrown in the dust bin only.

What is recycling? How does it work in India?

October 1, 2024 |
October 1, 2024
Mongabay

Rapid development and increasing consumption owing to India’s growing middle class have nudged India among the top ten municipal solid waste generators in the world with an estimated 62 million metric tons of waste being generated annually, according to a report by The Energy and Resources Institute.

How New Delhi's Avayacam Empowers Disabled Artisans, Turns Waste To Wealth

September 27, 2024 |
September 27, 2024
NDTV

India generates more than 65 million tons of waste in a year, according to a report by The Energy and Resources Institute, a New Delhi-based research group, but only around a fifth is processed and treated.

TERI working on setting up domestic standards for biofuel blending in marine vessels, says Dr Vibha Dhawan

September 20, 2024 |
September 20, 2024
The Economic Times

Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), outlined the role that the institute's National Centre of Excellence in Green Port and Shipping will play in developing a green and sustainable ports and shipping sector in the country as well as the need for establishing domestic standards for biofuel blending in marine vessels.

Yamuna breathes easy after rains, but just pollutant levels alarming

July 31, 2024 |
July 31, 2024

The monsoon rains gave the Yamuna a slight respite and reduced the pollution, but the river water continues to be contaminated beyond acceptable standards. The faecal coliform level, which indicates the presence of untreated sewage in the water, is particularly worrisome and the improvement in the BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) level is insignificant. Experts said the high BOD indicated that the pollution load was still very high. "Faecal coliform levels dropped due to the diluting effect of an influx of fresh water due to the rains.

Policy

Sustainable Organic Waste Management : A Playbook for Lucknow, India

September 23, 2024

In 2020, global municipal solid waste (MSW) generation reached 2.24 billion tonnes, a figure projected to rise to 3.88 billion tonnes by 2050. This increase will be largely driven by the fastest-growing regions, including sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East, where waste levels are expected to double or even triple.

Plastic Waste Management: Turning Challenges into Opportunities

December 2, 2020

Plastics not only are enduring, lightweight, and available at low prices, but also have very good thermal and electrical insulation properties. The versatile properties of various plastic polymers— being water-resistant, non-porous, ductile and malleable—make them suitable for manufacturing a wide range of products that also bring medical and technological advances in our modern society.

G20 Circular Carbon Economy: Fostering Circularity in Plastics

October 27, 2020

Fostering circularity in plastic use is an effective way to reduce contamination of marine and coastal environments with plastics and man-made debris. However, there are many challenges down this path.

Nutrient pollution in the South Asia Seas (SAS)

December 3, 2019

Anthropogenic activities like (i) agriculture fertilisers, (ii) coastal pisciculture, (i) sewage discharge, (iv) industrial activity, (v) burning fossil fuels and (vi) effluents from ports increase nutrients in surface water and seas. Nitrate pollution is largely caused by agriculture run-off, discharge from industry and manure or sewage. Phosphate pollution is tied to improper treatment of detergents in wastewater and from agro-fertilisers.

Discussion Paper on Faecal Sludge Management in Urban India: Policies, Practices, and Possibilities

December 9, 2016

Urban Sanitation and Need for Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) in India The Government of India has undertaken an ambitious social change endeavour of clean and open defecation free (ODF) India. Sustained efforts in this direction has improved the sanitation scenario in India, which in turn would help in achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 6 of universal and equitable access to safe and aff ordable drinking water and adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all.

Team

Director, Circular Economy and Waste Management
Associate Director, Circular Economy and Waste Management
Area Convenor, Bio-Waste Technologies
Area Convenor, Centre for Waste Management
Area Convener, NMCG-TERI Centre of Excellence on Water Reuse