World Circular Economy Forum 2026 Inauguration in Gandhinagar
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav, along with Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, inaugurated the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026 at Gandhinagar on September 15, 2026. The forum is being organized under the theme 'Circular Economy: Transition for People and Prosperity' and will run from September 15th to 18th, 2026. The event features participation from over 3,600 cross-sectoral stakeholders from 62 countries, including business leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers, policymakers, academicians, and changemakers.
India's Circular Economy Progress and EPR Framework
Minister Yadav highlighted India's significant progress in transitioning toward a circular economy through regulatory reforms and digital compliance systems. As of August 2026, India has registered more than 83,000 producers and 4,802 recyclers under various Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks. These initiatives have resulted in the processing of nearly 482.24 lakh metric tonnes of waste across regulated waste streams. The minister emphasized that India's objective is to ensure that "waste should no longer be seen as the end of a product's journey, but as the beginning of another resource cycle."
International Participation and Collaborations
The forum saw significant international participation, with Ambassador of Finland to India H.E. Mr. Mikko Kivikoski highlighting that over 100 Finnish companies operating in India are working with sustainable technologies and circular principles. Ms. Marieke Spijkerboer, Deputy Director General (Circular Economy) from the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, noted the participation of over 20 Dutch companies and organizations at WCEF 2026. India's international cooperation on circular economy includes the Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Industry Coalition (RECEIC) launched during India's G20 Presidency, and the country's BRICS Chairship has placed circular economy alongside sustainable lifestyles as interconnected priorities.
Exhibition and Publications
The dignitaries inaugurated and reviewed the WCEF2026 exhibition featuring 135 national and international exhibitors showcasing practical circular solutions. During the inaugural session, two circular publications were released: 'Best Practices for Reuse of Treated Sewage' and 'Driving Sustainability - A Guide to India's Circular Economy and EPR Initiatives'.
Organizational Structure
The event is being jointly organized by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of India, the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, Government of Finland, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India, Government of Gujarat, and Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB).