CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: The 12th International Material Recycling Conference (IMRC), held from January 28 to 30, 2025, at the Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre, emerged as a critical forum for industry leaders, policymakers, and global stakeholders to address the challenges and opportunities in India’s recycling sector. Organized by the Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI), the event strengthened India’s dedication to a circular economy and sustainable resource management.

A Call for Pro-Planet Living

Setting an inspiring tone for the event, Sanjay Mehta, President of MRAI, aligned the conference with Hon. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Mission LiFE. He emphasized, “LiFE is about becoming ‘Pro-Planet People.’ Changing the world begins with changing ourselves. Recycling, when done thoughtfully, can reduce the strain on nature. We must start at home, in offices, and in factories by practicing proper segregation.”

Reflecting on the conference’s impact, Amar Singh, Secretary General of MRAI, added, “Transformative ideas and actionable insights have emerged here. Our resolve for sustainable resource management has grown stronger.”

Government’s Support for Recycling Industry Growth

Speaking at the conference, Naresh Pal Gangwar, Additional Secretary, MoEFCC, outlined the government’s roadmap for sustainability and resource efficiency, stating, “Achieving India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2040 requires manifold growth in GDP, increased consumption, and efficient management of material resources.”

Supporting this view, Vinod Kumar Tripathi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Steel, reaffirmed the need to improve the recycling ecosystem. He stated, “By strengthening our recycling infrastructure, supporting education and awareness campaigns, and encouraging industries to adopt circular economic principles, we can build a thriving, sustainable future for all.”

Industry Leaders and Global Perspectives

The conference featured key insights from global experts:

Major General K. Narayanan, Program Director, Niti Aayog, highlighted the role of innovation and collaboration in maximizing India’s recycling potential.

Dr. Soumya Gurjar, Hon. Mayor of Jaipur, stressed the need for greater participation of women entrepreneurs in the recycling sector and praised Prof. Bineesha P., Advisor at MRAI, for her contributions.

Robin Wiener, President of ReMA, lauded MRAI’s advocacy efforts, while Arnaud Brunet, Director General of BIR, and Susie Burrage OBE, President of BIR, shared perspectives on the challenges posed by evolving EU regulations on shipping.

‘Recycling India’ – A National Initiative

Dhawal Shah, Senior Vice President of MRAI, called for a national campaign—’Recycling India’—to raise awareness and open doors to new opportunities in the sector. “Our vision is to see India emerge as a global leader in sustainable resource management,” he stated.

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