The Jammu and Kashmir Government has notified the Circular Economy Policy, 2026, outlining a 10-year roadmap with an indicative financial outlay of ₹3,548.7 crore to promote waste recovery, recycling, resource efficiency and green livelihoods across the Union Territory.Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the policy as “a decisive step towards resource recovery, green growth and ecological sustainability”, saying it marked a shift towards a low-waste, resource-efficient development model suited to Jammu and Kashmir’s diverse geographical and settlement patterns.
The policy aims to achieve over 90 per cent urban material recovery through improved waste segregation, greater diversion of waste from landfills and the development of sustainable green livelihoods.
It proposes a three-tier governance framework, classified as Circular, Circular+ and Circular++, to align waste management, recycling, resource recovery and wastewater reuse with the capacities and requirements of local bodies.
Under the framework, small and remote areas will be encouraged to adopt decentralised waste processing systems, while intermediate areas will use hub-and-spoke logistics. Major urban centres, including Srinagar and Jammu, are envisaged to develop advanced circular economy systems.
The policy covers a wide range of waste streams, including municipal solid waste, food and wet waste, tourism-related waste, horticulture and agricultural biomass, packaging waste, construction and demolition debris, electronic waste and wastewater.It also seeks to promote material recovery through repair, refurbishment and reuse, including resource loops linked to wool and handicrafts.To address geographical and logistical challenges, the roadmap proposes regional value-chain clusters to facilitate the collection, transportation, recovery and productive use of materials.
These clusters will focus on urban material recovery, apple and horticulture biomass, tourism circuits and artisan material loops, linking waste management with local economic activity and employment generation.
The policy envisages an indicative financial outlay of ₹3,548.7 crore over 10 years, with funding expected through convergence with Central government schemes, Extended Producer Responsibility mechanisms and user charges, alongside opportunities for public-private partnerships.
The framework aims to support long-term infrastructure development while reducing dependence on recurring government subsidies.
It also seeks to create livelihood opportunities for self-help groups, youth and waste workers by integrating resource recovery into local economic activities.
The policy emphasises decentralised solutions, regional specialisation and resource efficiency, with the stated objective of strengthening environmental sustainability while supporting resilient urban and rural development across Jammu and Kashmir.
