India, a nation of over a billion people, faces an enormous municipal solid waste management challenge. However, this crisis has birthed a vast, informal circular economy driven by millions of individuals, from marginalized ragpickers to sophisticated entrepreneurs. This dynamic system, often invisible, is responsible for recycling an estimated 60-80% of waste in major cities. These innovators transform discarded materials—plastic bottles, textiles, and construction debris—into marketable goods. This ingenuity not only diverts mountains of waste from landfills but also creates sustainable livelihoods and products, including innovative recycled plastics used for durable construction materials like floor tiles, fashionable shoes, and even soft goods like teddy bears, positioning India as a global leader in informal waste innovation.
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