Bhubaneswar: The state govt has planned to bring a dedicated Plastic Upcycling Policy as part of its efforts to promote a circular economy and reduce the burden of plastic waste on urban local bodies.The proposal was discussed during the 13th monthly meeting of ANKUR (Atal Network for Knowledge, Urbanization and Reform) held recently, where officials and partner agencies reviewed ongoing urban development initiatives.According to the meeting proceedings, the proposed policy will focus on converting low-value plastic waste into useful products instead of sending it to landfills. Officials said the initiative aims to create a sustainable ecosystem involving urban local bodies, waste collectors, recyclers and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).As part of the exercise, the state is already working with local MSMEs in Bhubaneswar to manufacture construction and building materials using discarded plastic that is otherwise difficult to recycle. The planned policy will provide a framework for collection, segregation, processing and commercial utilisation of such waste, official sources said.A senior official familiar with the development said plastic waste continues to pose a major challenge for urban local bodies despite improvements in door-to-door collection and waste segregation. “The aim is to move beyond disposal and create economic value from plastic waste through upcycling. Such an approach can reduce landfill dependency while generating livelihood opportunities,” the official said.The move comes at a time when cities across Odisha are grappling with rising volumes of single-use and multi-layered plastic waste. While recyclable plastic often finds buyers in the market, low-value plastic frequently ends up in dumpsites because of limited demand.During the ANKUR meeting, officials noted that a draft plastic upcycling policy would be prepared to institutionalise the reuse of such materials and encourage innovations in waste management.Experts said plastic upcycling has gained momentum across India in recent years, with processed plastic being used in road construction, paver blocks, tiles, furniture and other building products. “A state-specific policy could help create market linkages and bring private-sector participation into the waste value chain. This is a good initiative of the state govt. Now it is time for proper implementation,” said environmentalist Sailabala Padhi.Notably, Odisha has been promoting scientific solid waste management under various urban missions, including source segregation and material recovery facilities. The state has also implemented restrictions on certain categories of single-use plastic.However, management of low-value plastic remains a challenge for municipal authorities. “We have banned single use plastic and intensified our enforcement. We have also declared several major neighbourhood markets plastic free,” said city mayor Sulochana Das.