AID framework for improving waste management in post-National Sword Policy era: an Indian perspective

‘Waste’ has evolved from a local civic problem into an intertwined issue in global policy and business practices due to its adverse impact on climate change, natural resources depletion and overall quality of life. Until 2017, China had been the world's largest importer of consumer waste from the Global North. However, China's implementation of the National Sword Policy, which imposed a ban on the import of various categories of consumer waste, abruptly ended its dominance in global waste imports. In this context, numerous legislations have been passed in the Global North to tackle waste management-related issues. At the same time, significant volumes of waste has been directed to other developing countries such as India, placing additional pressure on an already overburdened waste management system. The present work (i) reviewed and analysed major policies introduced in the Global North post-National Sword Policy era and their impacts on India's waste imports and waste management and (ii) developed an integrated AID framework, comprises Awareness development (A), incentives/incentivisation (I) and data-based governance (D) to strengthen waste management and circular economy policies within the Indian context. The application of the AID framework in real-time waste management is highlighted through relevant case studies from across India.