Global voices converge at MRAI'S 12TH IMRC conference 2025

Setting the stage for transformative discussions, Sanjay Mehta, President of MRAI, passionately advocated for the power of individual action. Inspired by Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), he emphasised, "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 practising proper segregation."

His compelling words reverberated with attendees, urging a fundamental shift in how society perceives and manages waste. Recycling, he accentuated, should be a conscious practice, not just a regulatory tick-box.

Reflecting on the conference's impact, Sanjay Mehta (President, MRAI) remarked, "Transformative ideas and actionable insights have emerged here. Our resolve for sustainable resource management has grown stronger."

He further urged a paradigm shift in how society views and manages waste, stating, "The Earth's resources are finite. Our planet, which has nurtured life for billions of years, is now struggling. This is a call for mindful living through individual and collective actions. Recycling, when done strategically and correctly, aligns seamlessly with Mission LiFE, reducing the burden on nature.

His remarks underlined the need for every stakeholder, from individuals to large corporations, to adopt recycling as a lifestyle choice rather than a mere obligation. 

Naveen Sharma, Vice President, MRAI, referred to the event as the Mahakumbha of the recycling industry, emphasising, "The conference centres on advancing greener practices and championing sustainability on a global scale."

Naresh Pal Gangwar, Additional Secretary, MoEFCC, delivered a compelling keynote address. He underscored India's ambition to become a Vikasit Bharat by 2040, stating, “Achieving this vision requires manifold growth in GDP, increased consumption, and efficient management of material resources. Our Hon'ble Prime Minister has repeatedly emphasized the need to transition from a linear to a circular economy.”

Governments vision for sustainability

Representing the government's perspective, Vinod Kumar Tripathi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Steel, stressed the importance of building a robust recycling ecosystem:

"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."

“Recycling does more than conserve resources—it drives economic growth and job creation," noted Major General K Narayanan, Program Director, Niti Aayog, while stressing innovation, capacity-building, and collaborative strategies to maximise the recycling sector's potential.

Dr Soumya Gurjar, Mayor of Jaipur, urged increased participation of women entrepreneurs in the sector. Applauding the contributions of Bineesha P. (Advisor - MRAI) and Building on this, Ms. Robin Wiener, President of ReMA, praised MRAI's advocacy efforts, stating, "MRAI's work with governing authorities is exemplary. Susie Burrage OBE, President of BIR, and Arnaud Brunet, Director General of BIR, focused on the challenges posed by the EU's new shipping regulations.

Dr Soumya Gurjar remarked, "Empowering women in recycling brings innovation and fresh perspectives to sustainability."

Dhawal Shah, Director of MRAI, further reinforced this by calling for a national movement. "We need a campaign—' Recycling India '-to raise awareness and explore immense opportunities in the recycling sector," he asserted. His vision painted India as a global leader in sustainable resource management, driven by a responsible circular economy.

“The Govt of India has set targets for steel capacity/ production to be achieved by 2030 and 2047 along with net carbon emission targets to be achieved by 2070. If we have to achieve these targets, then the recycling industry is going to play a vital role. Domestic scrap generation needs to be promoted, the Vehicle Scrappage policy must get the buy-in of ALL stakeholders to make it a success, and duty-free import of ferrous scrap must continue to fill any shortfall in domestic scrap availability.

We have become a consumption-based economy that also comes with a lot of wastage. Therefore, we need to prioritise EPR in certain commodities like plastics, tyres, E-waste etc. Further, we need to promote finished products made from recyclable materials. State governments should focus on setting up recycling zones to promote a circular economy, and the Ministry must encourage Induction and Arc furnaces to increase capacity through the scrap route.”

Shaping policy and driving global engagement

Amar Singh, Secretary General of MRAI, shed light on groundbreaking policy efforts during the 'Policy Initiatives in Trade (Scrap)' session.

“As global trade barriers are anticipated in the next 2-3 years due to legislative changes in the EU and restrictions in the UK, MRAI is working diligently to ensure compliance with European shipment guidelines. We are closely working with MoEFCC and also trade associations in India, EU, USA, and the UK to mitigate potential challenges," stated Singh.