ABSTRACT
The idea of a circular economy, driven by narratives of material scarcity and enhanced resource efficiency, is gaining traction around the globe, including India. The focus of the existing literature on the circular economy has largely been techno-managerial with a large emphasis on the role of big business in solving the problem. However, a closer look at the flows of resources in India shows that a large part of these flows happen outside the formal economy. Also, the focus of the existing literature on techno-managerial solutions ignores the multiple contestations in the material and discursive arenas. We believe that there is a limited focus on the politics of these flows in the existing circular economy literature. In this chapter, we focus on the case of closing material cycles in urban areas. We use a conceptual framework that combines circular economy models and situates them in the variable power geometries of actors involved in these material flows in urban areas and beyond. With this conceptual framework, we examine the case of flow of materials in India with a focus on Delhi. At the same time, we examine the impact of a focus on techno-managerial solutions on the vulnerable and marginal communities in urban areas.
