The feasibility study for having such zones in the state will be done by the Japan Development Institute (JDI) this year.

A memorandum of understanding to this effect was signed between the state and a Japanese delegation, which was in Ahmedabad for the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors’ Summit 2009.

“Recycling of waste is becoming one of the businesses. In Japan, we have eco-towns where the wastes are brought, categorised, segregated and recycled. We want to develop such zones in Gujarat,” said Dr Shoichi Kobayashi, chairman of the JDI.

He said this while speaking at a seminar on ‘Gujarat sustainable industrial development 2030 — policy framework, role and importance of environmental infrastructure projects’.

With the rapid development in Gujarat, the waste generated by the industry is also increasing.

According to experts, every one per cent increase in industrialisation adds up half a percentage of waste generation and about one to three per cent of hazardous waste generation.

“Consumption and generation of waste is going up in urban areas,” said K P Nyati, principal advisor, CII-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development and chairman of the waste management committee.

Gujarat generates over 30 lakh tonnes non-hazardous industry waste, said Nyati. “The problem in Gujarat is that the waste generated is not recycled. Let’s make Gujarat the role model for recycling and value addition,” he added.

He further suggested creation of IRZs where the rag pickers can be given employment in an organised manner.

Nyati is of the view that instead of creating landfills, Gujarat should do something to recycle waste dumped on open land.

Waste generated in Gujarat

* Hazardous incinerable waste: 14 lakh tons per annum

* Hazardous landfill waste: 12 lakh tons per annum

* Recyclables: 6 lakh tons

* Municipal solid waste: 6.5 million tons

* Plastic waste: 3 lakh TPA