The theme of the World Sustainability Summit focused on the roadmap for implementing EPR in ELTs and recovered carbon black (rCB} from waste tyres
Policy Times Chamber of Commerce (PTCC), in partnership with Tyre & Rubber Recyclers Association of India (TRRAI) and RLG Systems India, organised the World Sustainability Summit 2023 at Holiday Inn, Mayur Vihar, New Delhi.
The prestigious event was organised to commemorate the World Environment Day, which is celebrated annually on the 5th of June, and highlighted this year's theme, "End-of-Life Tyre Management: Past Experiences & Future Perspectives".
It focused on creating a more sustainable relationship with nature through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies. The theme of the event was through the theme, "Roadmap for implementing EPR in ELT's & Recovered Carbon Black (rCB} from Waste Tyres".
India is the world's third largest producer and fourth largest consumer of natural rubber, and assumes a pivotal role in the global rubber industry. The country produces approximately 650,000 tyres while simultaneously discarding about 275,000 tyres on an annual basis. It also imports nearly 300,000 tonnes of tyres annually for the purposes of recycling and disposal. Accounting for approximately 6-7 percent of the worldwide total, India's contribution to waste tyre production is significant.
Given the local tyre industry's annual growth rate of 12 percent, the volume of waste is on a consistent rise. For approximately four decades, India has engaged in the recycling and reuse of waste tyres, however, it is estimated that 60% of these are improperly disposed of through illicit dumping.
According to a draft notification by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), by 2024-25, 34 percent of waste tyres will be recycled, 32 percent will be subjected to incineration for the generation of energy, and the remaining quantity will be sent for retreading. The country lacks a comprehensive plan to manage waste tyres, a situation the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change aims to address with the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Amendment Rules, 2022; Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change introduced the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Amendment Rules, 2022 for "Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Waste Tyre" which came into effect from July 21, 2022. The Summit offered a platform to address these critical issues related to EPR and waste management.
Patrick Wiedemann, CEO, RLG, says, "I firmly believe that the urgency of the present situation is difficult to overstate. The volumes of hazardous and e-waste are increasing every year, warranting an immediate call to action. The future of end-of-life tyre management looks promising, thanks to a heightened awareness of the environmental impact of used tyres and considerable strides in managing their lifecycle. The potential of recycling methods, such as de-Vulc conversion and energy extraction from waste tyres open new avenues in management of tyre waste. As industry leaders, it is vital to extensively manage product lifecycles, and I am sure that Extended Producer Responsibility initiatives would play a significant role.
With long-term government policies, we can expect more support for recycling industries and an increase in new technologies. This would position India as a leader in sustainability. Indeed, commitment to a circular economy is crucial to a sustainable future, and forums like the World Sustainability Summit offer a key platform for realizing this goal”.
Radhika Kalia, MD, RLG Systems India, states, "Through our participation in the World Sustainability Summit 2023, we underscore our commitment and sense of duty towards a greener and more sustainable future. As proud partners of this initiative, we understand that it is our obligation to lead by example, and help create a green and sustainable future for generations to follow. However, the task is formidable, and warrants the presence of several key components, including industry leadership in creating green solutions, a transparent governance system, effective recovery technologies, and close collaboration among tyre manufacturers, recyclers, and regulators. Further, there is a need for a shift in culture towards recognizing the environmental benefits of End-of-Life Tyre (ELT) management and moving the industry from linear to circular processes.
This summit presents a golden opportunity for us to unite different stakeholders, to brainstorm, collaborate, and innovate solutions for waste management. Together, we can turn the tide on waste and create a greener, more sustainable future for all."
Anand Kumar, director and head, WM-III Division, CPCB, says, " The Government of India is fully committed to establishing comprehensive policies like the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to effectively manage the enormous quantities of waste generated in our country. The issue warrants collaborative efforts from various stakeholders, and this summit offers a platform to foster such cooperation. Our participation in the World Sustainability Summit 2023 marks our dedication towards the cause and reiterates our commitment to driving sustainable development across sectors”.
The World Sustainability Summit 2023 witnessed an exclusive gathering of over 100 stakeholders, policymakers, academicians, manufacturers, potential investors, and more from the Capital state and NCR. The goal was to devise a roadmap for a greener future.