ICICI Bank has taken a significant step toward sustainability by deploying Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs) across five key offices in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai. These AWGs extract moisture from the air, convert it into potable water through condensation, and undergo multi-stage filtration to ensure 100% microbe-free drinking water. With a production capacity of 8,000 litres daily, the initiative benefits 4,200 employees while reducing reliance on bottled water. Aligned with the bank’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals, this move supports its broader sustainability strategy, including a target to achieve carbon neutrality for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by FY2032. The AWGs operate efficiently across diverse climatic conditions, reinforcing ICICI Bank’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint.

Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) Nagpur has secured ₹11.13 crore in funding from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Agri Waste Management. Named SWAHA (Sustainability, Waste Valorisation, Agriculture, Health, Awareness), this initiative is the first of its kind in India and focuses on converting agricultural waste into food, feed, fodder, fuel, and fertilizer using advanced technology. Led by Prof. Sachin Mandavgane, the project involves seven national collaborators and an industry partner, Merino Industries Limited, which has supported VNIT’s waste utilization research for over a decade. The CoE aims to develop biorefinery models, assess sustainability, and create market-ready solutions for agricultural waste valorisation.

Urban Enviro Waste Management Ltd has secured a ₹19 crore contract from Nagar Nigam Jaipur Heritage for door-to-door household waste collection, segregation, and transportation in 30 wards of Hawa Mahal and Amer Zone. The two-year contract also includes waste collection from open depots, GPS tracking, and street sweeping operations. Following this announcement, the company’s stock saw a 2% increase, trading at ₹188 per share, up from ₹184.90. Urban Enviro specializes in Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management, offering services such as sorting, composting, and street sweeping. This contract strengthens the company’s presence in urban waste management and highlights the growing investment in sustainable waste solutions.

Nestlé India has reinforced its commitment to sustainable waste management in India’s hill stations through Project Hilldaari, an initiative in partnership with PLAN Foundation and Recity India Pvt Ltd. Over the past five years, the project has developed inclusive and resilient waste management models in tourist cities such as Palampur, Dalhousie, Mussoorie, Mahabaleshwar, Munnar, Darjeeling, Panchgani, and Junagarh. In Palampur, the project has achieved an 82% waste segregation rate and 85% collection coverage, benefiting 12,900 households and 2,000 commercial properties. Since its inception in Dalhousie (June 2020), Project Hilldaari has diverted 1,219 MT of waste from landfills, engaging 20 waste workers. Nestlé India aims to drive awareness, systemic improvement, and dignity among waste workers, fostering circular waste management models

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has exempted self-managing bulk waste generators from paying the newly introduced Solid Waste Management (SWM) user fee, commonly known as the garbage tax. This exemption applies to commercial establishments, institutions, and residential complexes that generate over 100 kg of waste daily, occupy more than 53,820 sqft, or have over 100 dwelling units. To qualify, properties must either compost their waste on-site or partner with authorized vendors for waste processing. BBMP officials will inspect properties to verify compliance, and false claims may result in penalties. Independent houses that compost waste are not eligible for exemption due to verification challenges. While some residents welcomed the move, others reported glitches in the property tax portal, potentially affecting their ability to claim the exemption

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched a Domestic Sanitary & Special Care Waste Collection Service to ensure the safe disposal of used sanitary pads, diapers, expired medicines, and beauty salon waste. Starting May 1, 2025, the service will cater to housing societies, beauty salons, women’s hostels, and educational institutions that register for the initiative. Mumbai generates 7,000–8,000 tonnes of solid waste daily, with 70–80 tonnes consisting of personal hygiene waste, which often gets mixed with regular garbage, posing health risks to sanitation workers. To address this, the BMC will provide yellow-coloured bags for collection and conduct awareness drives to educate residents on proper segregation. The initiative is led by Additional Municipal Commissioner Dr. Ashwini Joshi and Deputy Commissioner Kiran Dighavkar, under the guidance of BMC Chief Bhushan Gagrani.

India has introduced new Construction and Demolition (C&D) Waste Management Rules, 2025, which will come into effect from April 2026. These rules mandate Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), requiring construction firms to collect, segregate, and recycle waste generated from projects. Under the framework, producers must submit a waste management plan for approval, ensuring compliance with recycling targets. Local authorities will oversee implementation, and non-compliance may result in environmental compensation fines. Additionally, projects exceeding 20,000 square meters must incorporate processed C&D waste into construction activities. The initiative aims to reduce unauthorized dumping, minimize pollution, and promote circular economy practices in the construction sector

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has criticized the Karnataka government for its inadequate waste management practices, directing it to submit a fresh action taken report. The tribunal noted that despite regular reports over the past two years, the state has failed to finalize an executable working plan to address gaps in solid and liquid waste management. Key concerns include the untreated sewage: 1,170.93 MLD remains unprocessed across 315 urban local bodies (ULBs), with 603 MLD untreated daily in Bengaluru, Legacy waste: 67.72 lakh metric tons remain unremedied across 192 sites, with 58.89 LMT still present at nine locations in Bengaluru and Delayed remediation: The Mandur Phase 2 site is expected to be completed only by June 2027. The NGT emphasized the need for urgent action, stating that no fresh unprocessed waste should be added to existing legacy dumps.

The sale of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) credit certificates for plastic is gaining momentum in India, helping producers, importers, and brand owners (PIBOs) meet their EPR obligations. Under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2022, PIBOs must process their plastic packaging waste through reuse, recycling, or proper disposal. If unable to do so directly, they can purchase EPR credit certificates from registered waste processors who have recycled or disposed of an equivalent amount of plastic waste.
Startups like EcoEx have created digital marketplaces connecting PIBOs with recyclers, streamlining transactions and ensuring compliance. The price of EPR credits varies by state and plastic type, with rigid plastic fetching ₹2 per kg, flexible ₹2–3, and multi-layered plastic ₹3–5. The initiative enhances transparency, reduces illegal trading, and strengthens India's circular economy efforts

India contributed 3.5% of global plastic waste in 2022, according to an analysis published in Nature. The world generated 268 million tonnes of plastic waste that year, with China and the U.S. being the largest contributors. India accounted for 6% of global plastic consumption, behind China (20%), the U.S. (18%), and the EU (16%). Despite its relatively low contribution to plastic waste, India exported 1.6 million tonnes of intermediate plastic forms and 1.2 million tonnes of intermediate manufactured plastics in 2022. The report highlights that 40% of global plastic waste went to landfills, 34% was incinerated, and only 9% was recycled. The study underscores the need for improved recycling infrastructure and sustainable plastic management practices worldwide.

The climate crisis is increasingly affecting mental health, with rising cases of climate anxiety—a deep sense of distress about environmental degradation and its future impact. Studies show that extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, floods, and wildfires, contribute to anxiety, depression, PTSD, and feelings of helplessness. Younger generations, particularly those aged 16 to 25, report high levels of concern about climate change, with many feeling that their daily lives are affected. Psychologists recognize eco-anxiety as a growing issue, though it is not officially classified as a mental illness. The pandemic further intensified these concerns, highlighting the link between environmental damage and global health crises. Experts emphasize the need for mental health support in climate action plans, urging governments to integrate psychological well-being into environmental policies.

Akshayakalpa Organic has adopted Peeran Cheruvu Lake** in Hyderabad for ecological restoration, conducting monthly clean-up drives over the past five months. The initiative has successfully removed **3,200 kilograms of plastic waste**, significantly improving the lake’s condition. Volunteers from NGOs, the Hyderabad Cyclers Group, GHMC, and local residents have actively participated in these efforts. The lake, known for its scenic beauty and importance to local fishermen, has suffered from increasing plastic pollution. Akshayakalpa Organic’s commitment to sustainability aligns with its broader mission of **restoring and preserving natural ecosystems**. The company aims to continue these clean-up drives, fostering community engagement and environmental responsibility.