Recykal x WCEF

01Why this conversation matters

India has built the framework. The next question is what happens between consumption and recycling.

India has made significant progress in advancing Extended Producer Responsibility as a framework for managing post-consumer packaging. At the same time, Deposit Return Systems are emerging as an important mechanism for strengthening return, traceability and citizen participation. This is not about positioning DRS as an alternative to EPR — it is about where DRS can strengthen existing producer-responsibility frameworks and what India should consider as these systems evolve.

A waterway carrying large volumes of discarded post-consumption packaging — **Where the loop breaks**Packaging that never finds a return pathway leaks into the environment — the gap this discussion is about.

Workers sorting collected PET bottles at a collection and sorting centre — **Where it closes**Assured collection and inclusive last-mile networks bring material back into a traceable, formal value chain.

For post-consumption waste to successfully enter the circular economy, citizens, retailers, institutions, waste workers and collection networks must have clear, convenient and economically viable pathways to return materials into the system.

This panel brings together policymakers, regulators, state representatives, international experience and independent policy perspectives to examine a central question: how can DRS complement EPR and create a circular economy in which citizens become active participants in returning materials?

02Discussion structure

Four parts, one conversation: why DRS, how it works, what it takes to build, and what India standardises next.

Structured as one moderated conversation rather than a series of presentations — drawing on state implementation experience, international practice and independent policy scrutiny.

01

Why DRS When India Already Has EPR?

What gaps remain in return and citizen participation despite existing EPR frameworks.
The difference between producer responsibility on paper and material actually being returned.
The role of economic incentives in shifting consumer behaviour at the point of disposal.
Where DRS can add real value, and where other policy instruments may remain more appropriate.

02

What Makes a Deposit Return System Actually Work?

Deposit value, consumer incentives and the convenience of the return itself.
Retailer participation, trust in refunds and reliable return infrastructure.
Reverse logistics, government oversight and producer participation.
Technology, traceability and inclusion of the existing waste-management ecosystem.

03

Building the System Behind the Return

What citizens experience as a simple transaction — deposit, return, refund — sits on a full system of government, producers, retailers and operators.
Which responsibilities should remain with government, and which should sit with the scheme administrator.
Governing accountability, deposit management, refunds and traceability.
Ensuring DRS strengthens India's wider waste-management ecosystem rather than operating as a parallel system.

04

From State Systems to an Indian DRS Architecture

What should be standardised early for interoperability as more states build DRS independently.
Common data standards, product identification and fraud prevention.
What should remain flexible for individual states to adapt to local context.
Whether India should move towards one national DRS, independent state systems, or national standards with state-level implementation.

03Agenda

A two-hour session, preceding dinner.

6:00 – 6:15 PM

Opening Remarks

15 min

6:15 – 7:15 PM

Panel Discussion

60 min

7:15 – 7:25 PM

Audience Interaction

10 min

7:25 – 7:30 PM

Closing Remarks

5 min

7:30 – 8:00 PM

Dinner & Networking

30 min

Programme runs 6:00 – 8:00 PM, including dinner and networking.

04The panel

The people shaping the conversation.

The panel brings together Deposit Refund System representatives from the states building assured-return infrastructure on the ground, alongside national and international voices on circularity.

Goa

Shri Sanjeev Joglekar

Additional Project Director, GCEMS · Senior Environmental Engineer, GSPCB · Member Secretary, GEDA · OSD, Department of Environment

Uttarakhand

Dr. Ankur Kansal

Chief Environment Officer, UKPCB

Norway

Mr. Andreas B. Schei

Counsellor, Climate and Environment, Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi

Himachal Pradesh

Shri Sushil Kumar Singla

Secretary, Environment, Science and Technology, GoHP

New Delhi

Shri Atin Biswas

Program Director, Centre for Science and Environment

Moderator

Jumana Shah

Senior Associate Editor, India Today

05Register

Confirm your attendance.

This is an invite-only session. If you have received an invitation, confirm your attendance below and we will send the final details ahead of the session.

Questions about registration? Contact Yash (+91 79817 74831) or Narendra (+91 77021 86398).

EventBeyond EPR: The Role of DRS in Citizen‑Led CircularityWCEF Side Event · Facilitated By Scheme Operator Recykal
DateWednesday, 16 September 2026
Time6:00 – 8:00 PM IST
VenueSeminar Hall 3, Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition CentreGandhinagar, Gujarat, India
FormatOpening remarks, moderated panel discussion, audience interaction and networking dinner

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