Jammu and Kashmir notifies Circular Economy Policy 2026

The Jammu and Kashmir Government has notified the Circular Economy Policy 2026, which outlines a 10-year investment plan totaling Rs 3,548.7 crore. The policy aims to recover more than 90 per cent of urban materials by improving waste segregation, recycling, and landfill diversion.

A three-tier management system will be implemented across the Union Territory to account for varying geography and settlement patterns. This includes the ‘Circular’ classification for small and remote areas, ‘Circular+’ for intermediate corridors, and ‘Circular++’ for Jammu and Srinagar. The framework addresses diverse waste streams, including municipal solid waste, food and wet waste, tourism refuse, agricultural biomass, electronic waste, and construction debris.

To manage logistical challenges posed by the region's terrain, the policy proposes regional clusters focused on urban material recovery, horticultural biomass, tourism circuits, and artisan material reuse. Funding is expected to come from central government schemes, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mechanisms, and user charges, with the goal of reducing reliance on recurring government subsidies.