MUMBAI, Aug. 4 -- The circular economy was a buzzword and a checkbox for most corporations for the longest time. With the volatile macroeconomic environment, this attitude has changed. Rising raw material costs, volatile supply chains and rising transportation costs have made it difficult to protect margins, experts said.

Speaking at the Mint Sustainability Summit 2026, executives from packaging, fashion, electronics and infrastructure industries said that while companies are reducing packaging, using industrial waste as raw material and making recyclable products, circularity succeeds only when it creates commercial value.

"The circularity will not work unless there's value or an economy collecting and using the waste," said Thimmaiah ...