Narendra Modi, in a recent dialogue with prominent gamers, discussed the potential of gaming and its societal impact. He emphasized the need for a balanced approach to regulation, focusing on integrating gaming into an organized legal structure. Modi also urged gamers to develop games addressing diverse societal issues, such as 'Swachh Bharat', to instil Indian values and contribute to national development. The game theme could revolve around cleanliness... and every child should play it. The gaming industry has seen remarkable growth, with games inspired by Indian mythology gaining recognition.

India is set to host one of the world's largest clean energy farms, with the Khavda Renewable Energy Park in Gujarat aiming to reduce dependence on fossil fuels in energy generation. Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) is building the project, in a land area that is five times that of Paris, or 538 sq. km, which will create 15,200 green jobs and utilize India's strong solar radiation and wind resources. The park will feature bifacial solar PV modules and horizontal single-axis tracker systems, and will use Adani's cutting-edge Energy Network Control Centre platform for real-time automated plant control and monitoring. The park will also use waterless cleaning robots to address dust accumulation on panels.

Vedanta's Hindustan Zinc Ltd has partnered with Bhopal-based VEXL Environ Projects to establish a pilot project converting waste products into usable resources. The partnership aligns with Hindustan Zinc's waste management strategy of reducing, recycling, reusing, and reclaiming. The pilot plant will use waste products like jarosite and jarofix generated during zinc extraction for productive applications at the pilot plant. This collaboration aims to create sustainable solutions through waste utilization and wealth creation, demonstrating Hindustan Zinc's commitment to a circular economy.

India is among the twelve countries responsible for 60% of the world's mismanaged plastic waste, despite its low per capita plastic waste production. The Plastic Overshoot Day report by Swiss non-profit EA Earth Action reveals that global plastic waste generation has risen by 7.11 per cent since 2021. The world is estimated to have generated 220 million tons of plastic waste this year, with 70 million tons ending up polluting the environment. India is classified as a "low-waste-producing" polluter due to its low per capita plastic waste production. The report also reveals that by April 2024, almost half of the world's population will be living in areas where plastic waste has exceeded its capacity to manage.

Recykal, a cloud-based waste management and processing start-up, has secured INR 110 Cr (around $13.2 Mn) in its Pre-Series B funding round from 360 ONE Asset Management. The investment, led by Morgan Stanley India, will enable Recykal to drive further innovation in technology, products, and solutions. Recykal, founded in 2016, offers cloud-based solutions that enable transparent and traceable material flows in waste. The company has raised a total of $35 Mn, with participation from Circulate Capital, Vellayan Subbiah, and Arun Venkatachalam. Recykal's success in achieving circularity of value chain and achieving demand aggregation and resource utilization is crucial for building a sustainable future.

The Bajaj Foundation is working to address e-waste management in India by promoting awareness among students and organizing activities at school and college levels. The foundation has discovered innovative solutions like e-waste tokenization, drone collection, and gamification, and has held the Delhi Youth Eco Summit to understand students' roles. The foundation also suggests implementing a system of monetizing and tokenizing e-waste, providing monetary incentives for responsible disposal. The foundation also hosts workshops in educational institutions, including the Youth Eco Summit, which empowered youth to propose solutions. The foundation aims to create a circular economy, focusing on reuse, recycling, and repurposing products. The foundation plans to expand its educational outreach, enhance recycling infrastructure, and foster collaboration with industry and government for comprehensive e-waste management.

SIBUR, a Russian petrochemicals company, is partnering with Indian companies to tackle plastic pollution. The collaboration aims to develop advanced technologies for recycling plastic waste, reducing landfills and environmental harm. The partnership emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in addressing global environmental challenges. By closing the loop on plastic production and consumption, the partnership aims to create a more resource-efficient and environmentally friendly model of economic development. This collaboration holds significant promise for the future of plastic recycling, paving the way for a cleaner, greener planet.

Kerala Start-up Mission has selected Starbase Innovation Pvt Ltd and Invendoi AI Solutions Pvt Ltd to provide digital tools for waste management initiatives in the state. Starbase focuses on real-time tracking of waste collection and transportation, while Invendoi has developed an AI-based application for monitoring waste at garbage vulnerable points, material collection facilities, and resource recovery facilities. Starbase's SWASTHA software tracks collected waste to recycling units using QR codes, while Invendoi's AI-based application enhances monitoring by installing surveillance cameras at garbage vulnerable points and other facilities. The aim is to make Kerala the cleanest state in India.

The National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) in Thiruvananthapuram has introduced an efficient technology for managing biomedical waste. The technology converts one kilogram of biomedical waste into a harmless soil additive in just three minutes. The technology is transferred to start-up BioVastum Solutions for commercialisation. It helps disinfect and dispose of hazardous biomedical waste at source at low cost, providing relief for hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and the healthcare sector. The technology also hosted a panel discussion on the importance of scientific biomedical waste management to prevent the spread of diseases from pandemics and emerging infections. Hazardous waste should not enter humans or animals or contaminate water, air, or land, as improper management could lead to disease outbreaks.

Blue Planet has acquired Vac-Tech Engineering for an undisclosed sum, focusing on its 'Squiz-tech' dewatering systems and centrifuge treatment systems. These systems are revolutionising hazardous waste management, providing efficient and sustainable solutions to environmental challenges. The acquisition will strengthen Blue Planet's technology in hazardous waste management and transportation, enhancing its mission to provide technology-driven waste management and upcycling solutions. Vac-Tech's expertise in handling hazardous waste complements Blue Planet's objective of reaching zero waste levels sent to landfills. The acquisition also enhances Vac-Tech's hazardous waste transportation services, including vacuum truck and pump rental services, ensuring safe and responsible handling of hazardous materials.

The India e-waste management market is projected to reach a valuation of US$ 5,198.52 million by 2032, with a CAGR of 13.52%. India is the third-largest producer of e-waste globally, generating about 3.2 million tons annually. Computer equipment accounts for almost 70% of e-waste in India, with Maharashtra being the major contributor. The market presents opportunities for valuable metal recovery but is hampered by the informal sector, limited formal recycling capacity, and low consumer awareness. Only 5% of India's total electronic trash is officially recycled annually, with over 95% managed by scrap dealers. Better infrastructure, policies, and regulatory frameworks are needed to encourage responsible disposal and promote a circular economy. E-Waste (Management) Rules were implemented in 2022, but only 5% of India's electronic waste is recycled in the formal sector.

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has announced the construction of a 300-tonne-per-day solid waste to steam plant in Ahmedabad, operating under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The plant, constructed by Surat-based Steamhouse India, aims to reduce environmental pollution by decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. Ahmedabad produces around 4,000 metric tonnes of solid waste daily, and the shift towards sustainable waste management is crucial due to the negative effects of organic waste decomposition in landfills and the health hazards posed by toxic substances. The project will use waste to steam technology to establish a circular economy using Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF), a German technology that offers reduced environmental impact, low operational costs, and efficient resource utilization. The capital expenditure is projected to be 70% lower than conventional waste to energy plants.