Aafrin Kidwai 
The CII’s International Conference on Waste to Worth on October 30 is barely two weeks away. This year, the conference will revolve around the theme ‘Achieving circular economy through innovative 3R techniques’.
Through this event, the CII aims at bringing together policymakers, practitioners, technology providers, investors, and domestic and international waste management companies on a single platform to deliberate on innovative technological solutions towards keeping India clean in a sustainable manner and encourage the adoption of 3R practices. The day-long conference, which is followed by a 15-day exhibition, is free to attend for registered delegates.
The conference will begin with an inaugural session at 10.30 am, presided by Prof. K Vijay Raghavan – Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA), GoI, Mr. Rameshwar Prasad Gupta – Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, GoI, Ms. Martina Tauberová – Deputy Minister, EU Affairs and Foreign Trade, Ministry of Industry and Trade, The Czech Republic, Dr Anil Kakodkar – Former Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and Chairman, Grand Jury, CII 3R Awards and Dr. Neeraj Sharma, Secretary, Technology Development Boards, GoI.
Winners of the CII 3R Awards in waste minimization, recycling, and innovation in generating minimum/ zero waste products will also be announced during this session.
The first panel discussion of the conference will be held from 12 noon to 1.15 pm. Titled ‘Glocal Models and Best Practices for Waste Management,’ it will focus on existing waste management systems, models, best practices across India and other parts of the world to address the issues of management of waste in a holistic way, suggest best possible technological solutions to mitigate the solid waste problem, financial models, government supports etc. This session will be moderated by Mr Masood Mallick, Jt. MD, Ramky Enviro Engineers Ltd. Panelists include top management officials from Averda – UK, Keppel Seghers – Belgium, IVL Sweden, Saahas Zero Waste India, and Organic Recycling.
Says Mr. Rabih Jawad, Vice-President Operations, AVERDA, Dubai, “What many people call waste can actually be a resource. We’re excited to be joining colleagues and like-minded partners from across the world at the CII Waste-to-Worth conference to discuss how India can power ahead in its waste management strategy. I’m looking forward to sharing our experiences from cities in the Middle East and Africa, and hearing from Indian experts about advances they’re making.”
The second session which will be held from 1.30 to 2.30 pm deals with “Leveraging Emerging Technologies for Waste Management”. In this session, moderated by P. Bineesha, Member, Technology Development Board, Ministry of Science & Technology, Executive Director, IIWM, experts discuss how innovation and technology in the digital age, including robots and AI, will lead the way of waste management and resource management. IoT for landfill management and monitoring and improved Telematics for smart fleet organization and management will also be discussed by the panel which includes inspiring innovators and entrepreneurs from the Institute of Circular Economy -The Czech Republic, Tomra – USA, Ishitva Robotics, Infosys, and Genrobotic Innovations.
The third session of the conference from 2.45 – 4 pm will focus on “Waste as Alternative Fuel and Raw Materials.” This panel, moderated Mr Ulhas Parlikar – Global Consultant – Waste Management, Circular Economy, Policy Advocacy & Co-processing, will highlight how waste can be used to create new products, alternative fuels etc. Representatives from Geocycle India, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, IL&FS, and Shakti Plastics will participate.
The last session of the day from 4.15 to 5.30 will focus on the “Waste Management Ecosystem in India.” Moderated by Mr Saurabh Shah, Vice President – Excel Industries, this discussion will focus on rules, policies, challenges, and opportunities in the waste management sector, including plastics, e-waste, and EPR. Impacts of CoVID-19 on waste management companies and workers. This session will engage with key stakeholders from CPHEEO, Mailhem Ikos, Greenworms Waste Management and Coexicon India.
The International Conference on Waste to Worth is being organized in association with the Technology Development Board, GoI and supported by Swachh Bharat Mission, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, GoI. The Czech Republic is a partner country this year.
The event is supported by Averda, Excel Industries Ltd, Ecogreen, Aiyyer Environmental Solutions, Shakti Plastic Industries, Blue-Planet-Yasasu Solutions Pvt. Ltd and IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute. SolidWasteIndia is the official media partner for the event.
Concludes Mr. Osten Ekengren, Senior Advisor, IVL Sweden. “Like the notion of “waste to worth” – perfectly encapsulates IVL’s one of the focused areas in building its work towards a circular economy. It will be interesting to see fruitful exchanges between Nordic and European insights and Indian approaches. We’re happy to participate and support CII in this mission.”
