Addressing the India Climate Summit 2025, organized by the Indian EPR Alliance at Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi, Chandni Chowk MP and Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) Secretary General Shri Praveen Khandelwal emphasized that Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) should not be viewed merely as a mandate but as a significant opportunity. He highlighted that traders, retailers, and wholesalers can play a crucial role in strengthening India’s circular economy, aligning with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of inclusive growth.
Khandelwal stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India is committed to sustainability through initiatives like Mission LiFE, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and the Net Zero 2070 target. He underscored the crucial role of EPR in ensuring waste management, resource efficiency, and accountability.
He pointed out that while waste management has traditionally relied on informal waste pickers and small recyclers, EPR provides a structured framework that connects traders, manufacturers, and policymakers. He urged small traders in plastics, packaging, e-waste, and scrap sectors to become authorized collection partners, enabling them to adopt EPR compliance, stabilize their income, and expand their businesses.
Khandelwal welcomed government initiatives to simplify EPR compliance through digital platforms, training, and financial incentives. He stated that the waste management sector is poised to become a multi-billion-dollar industry in the coming years, creating vast economic opportunities for small businesses.
He stressed the need for simplified compliance processes and stronger collaboration among businesses, the recycling industry, and policymakers. Khandelwal urged the business community to take a leadership role in India’s green transition. He also welcomed the launch of the India EPR Alliance by CMAI, calling it a milestone in the country’s waste management journey.
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