Srinagar, Oct 16 (KINS): The Jammu and Kashmir Government has notified the J&K Circular Economy Policy, 2026, marking a significant step towards resource recovery, green growth and ecological sustainability across the Union Territory.
The policy takes into account J&K’s diverse geographical conditions and settlement patterns, providing for decentralised waste processing in remote areas, hub-and-spoke logistics along intermediate corridors, and advanced circular economy systems in major urban centres, including Jammu and Srinagar.
It covers a wide range of waste streams, including municipal solid waste, food and wet waste, tourism-related waste, horticultural and agricultural biomass, packaging materials, construction and demolition waste, electronic waste and wastewater. It also addresses resource recovery through repair, refurbishment, wool and handicrafts.
To meet these varied requirements, the policy introduces a three-tier framework comprising Circular, Circular+ and Circular++. The framework aims to enable local bodies across J&K to adopt waste management, recycling, resource recovery and wastewater reuse systems suited to their specific needs and capacities.
The roadmap also provides for the development of regional clusters to address logistical and terrain-related challenges. These clusters are expected to facilitate waste aggregation, improve transportation efficiency and support the economically viable processing of different waste streams.
The policy will be supported through convergence with Central Government schemes, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mechanisms and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models.
The initiative aims to improve resource efficiency, strengthen sustainable urban and rural development, and create new livelihood opportunities in the green economy while promoting environmentally responsible growth across Jammu and Kashmir.(KINS)
J&K Government notifies circular Economy Policy 2026 to promote green growth, waste management
