WCEF2026 Accelerator Session
Accelerator Session: Circular Economy Skills and People
WCEF2026 Accelerator Session:
Accelerator Session: Circular Economy Skills and People
Event Overview
The transition to a circular economy is no longer an option—it is a necessity for achieving sustainable growth, resource efficiency and climate resilience. This accelerator session brings together experts, business leaders, policymakers, researchers and innovators from across the globe to discuss actionable solutions that accelerate circular transformation.
Context and Rationale
India’s recycling and waste-management sector includes a large workforce across both informal and formal systems. Informal workers, including waste pickers, scrap dealers and aggregators, play a critical role in material recovery, while formal recycling facilities employ engineers, technicians and plant operators. As the sector becomes more technology-driven and regulated, there is a growing need to strengthen the skills, safety and livelihoods of workers across the value chain.
Focus of the Accelerator Session
The Accelerator Session will focus on the link between waste management, circular economy, green skills and employment opportunities. Effective circular economy systems require not only appropriate policies and technologies but also a skilled workforce capable of managing diverse waste streams, operating
advanced recycling systems and ensuring environmental compliance. Green skills and vocational training can improve employability while supporting innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable industrial development.
Emerging Green Jobs and Skills
The session will explore emerging employment opportunities across the circular economy value chain, including waste collection and sorting, recycling, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing, reverse logistics, resource recovery, environmental consulting, sustainability auditing and waste-to-energy operations. It will
also examine how automation, digitalization and new recycling technologies are transforming the sector and creating demand for new technical and digital competencies.
Formalization and Inclusive Employment
A key focus will be the formalization and upskilling of informal waste-sector workers. Improving working conditions, access to protective equipment, training and social security can help create safer and more dignified livelihoods while strengthening the efficiency of waste-management systems. The session will encourage collaboration among government, industry, academia, skill-development institutions, technology providers and civil society to develop practical approaches for inclusive green employment.
Stakeholder Participation
The session will bring together policymakers, government agencies, industry leaders, recyclers, EPR organisations, MSMEs, skill-development institutions, universities, research organisations, technology providers, startups, financial institutions, NGOs and sustainability professionals. Through cross-sector dialogue, the session aims to identify actionable strategies for strengthening green skills, supporting quality employment and accelerating India’s transition towards a resource-efficient and circular economy.
Why Attend ?
By participating in this accelerator session, you will:
- Discover emerging green jobs and skills across the circular economy and recycling value chain
- Explore new career and business opportunities in recycling, resource recovery, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing and sustainability
- Understand the skills needed for the future as automation, digitalization and advanced recycling technologies transform the sector.
- Learn about inclusive employment and approaches to formalize and upskill informal waste-sector workers.
- Connect with key stakeholders from government, industry, academia, recyclers, MSMEs, startups, skill-development institutions and NGOs.
- Exchange practical ideas and solutions for building a skilled workforce and accelerating India’s transition to a resource-efficient circular economy.
Who Should Attend ?
This session is ideal for:
- Policymakers and government representatives
- Recycling and waste-management industry professionals
- Recyclers, EPR organisations and MSMEs
- Skill-development institutions and vocational training providers
- Universities, researchers and academic institutions
- Technology providers and circular-economy startups
- Financial institutions and investors
- NGOs and civil-society organisations
- Sustainability and environmental professionals
- Representatives of the informal waste sector and organisations working on its formalization
About WCEF2026
This event/webinar is an accelerator session at the World Circular Economy Forum 2026 (wcef2026.com). WCEF2026 will gather forward-looking thinkers and doers and present the game-changers in the circular economy. The forum will be held from 15 to 18 September 2026 in Gandhinagar, the capitol of Gujarat, India. WCEF2026 is organised jointly by the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), operating under the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change of India, together with global and local partners. Free of charge, open to all online