Guidelines issued for Circular Economy and Waste Recycling Policy

The Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday released the operational guidelines for implementing the Circular Economy and Waste Recycling Policy – 2025-30.

The guidelines translate the said policy into actionable procedures, standards and templates for government agencies, industrial units, service providers, and other stakeholders to plan, approve, operate and monitor the circular-economy interventions, as per G.O. Ms. No. 26, issued by Secretary (Industries & Commerce) N. Yuvaraj.

It was stated that Andhra Pradesh was one of India’s rapidly industrialising States, with a diverse base that includes sectors such as bulk drugs and pharmaceuticals, textiles, cement, steel, chemicals, engineering, food processing, and mining.

As per the A..P Pollution Control Board and CBIPMP (Capacity Building and Industrial Pollution Management Project) Hazardous Waste Incentivization Report, Andhra Pradesh had 4,000-plus industries, generating significant quantities of hazardous and non-hazardous industrial waste that pose critical environmental challenges.

The G.O. said 25 key industrial waste types, across 14 major sectors, had been grouped and mapping of all major industrial sectors was done to enable targeted circularity interventions and actions.

As the State continues to expand its industrial footprint, integrating principles of circularity and sustainable waste management into its development strategy, the policy plays a crucial role in tackling the industrial waste landscape.

To align with global sustainability goals and national commitments under the circular economy framework, it is imperative for industries to transition from a linear model of production and consumption to a circular one, it is stressed.