The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, plays a pivotal role in promoting science, technology, and innovation in the country. It formulates and implements policies that strengthen research infrastructure and support cutting-edge technological development. Through its various initiatives, DST fosters collaborative efforts between academia, industry, and R&D institutions, aiming to solve pressing societal and environmental challenges. The department’s mission extends to nurturing talent, supporting early-stage research, and facilitating the commercialization of technologies. It operates through several specialized divisions, one of which is the Technology Translation and Innovation Division (TTID), which specifically focuses on converting laboratory-level research into deployable, scalable technologies. TTID is committed to encouraging innovations that have high societal impact, including sustainable environmental practices. With its extensive network and credibility in the scientific ecosystem, DST remains a key facilitator for research-led innovation and national development. The Waste Management Technologies scheme under TTID aims to address environmental concerns by supporting the development of sustainable waste management solutions across various sectors. This initiative aligns with India’s commitments to sustainability, circular economy, and technological advancement.

The Waste Management Technologies scheme launched by the Department of Science and Technology is designed to support the development and demonstration of innovative and sustainable technologies that mitigate environmental damage from industrial waste and unsustainable consumer practices. This initiative invites proposals that focus on creating or improving material recycling systems with minimal environmental impact and explores the techno-economic feasibility of such interventions. The grant targets key sectors including industrial, toxic, organic, and plastic waste management. For industrial waste, the focus is on extracting critical metals from secondary sources using a zero-waste approach. In the case of toxic waste, particularly chemical sludge from the textile industry, projects should demonstrate pilot-scale conversion into energy products like biochar or briquettes. For organic waste, technologies should aim to recover essential nutrients and soil enhancers from by-products like incineration ash or agricultural wastewater. Plastic waste initiatives should concentrate on upcycling with an emphasis on industrial application and resource efficiency. Pilot-scale demonstrations are crucial, particularly in collaboration with industry stakeholders. The program promotes interdisciplinary and multi-institutional collaboration to ensure practical, scalable solutions.