The Excel group is changing with the times. The agro-chemicals leader has taken a lead in the country to develop biopesticides and manage solid waste by converting it into organic compost. The company CMD, Ashwin C Shroff, spoke to FE on the sidelines of the recently concluded Ficci Environment Conclave to emphasise upon the need to have an integrated approach to sustainable waste management. Shroff is also chairman of the Ficci environment committee. Excerpts: How big is the environment technology market in India? India's environmental technology market has grown 79% between 2000-2005 and is projected to grow by 92% during 2005-2010. The biggest growth potential is in water, wastewater, waste treatment and recycling areas. Water and wastewater are estimated to constitute 80% of the total environmental technology market by 2010. So, is corporate India excited about the business opportunity in the waste management sector? You can look at waste management at many levels. Municipal and domestic solid waste is generated by every individual and household. Besides, we have agricultural and industrial waste. Now there are new types of waste like electronic waste or e-waste. Since there are different kinds of waste, it's difficult to segregate and quantify these in monetary terms. More importantly, we need to shoulder our responsibility on the issue of waste management and then look at tapping the business opportunity. What do you think is the scope for public-private partnerships? A lot. The government is promoting the concept of public-private partnerships. In fact, municipalities are saying that they neither have the capability nor the money for waste management. What exactly can the private sector do that is not being done at the moment? The private sector can significantly increase productivity and enhance the efficiency of service delivery in waste management operations. You have been advocating integrated waste management for long. What does it mean? The approach towards sustainable waste management should include both vertical and horizontal integration. Vertical integration is about integrating different aspects of the waste management value chain. Horizontal integration is about the integration of technologies and techniques under one business model. Using horizontal and vertical integration together enables waste management, including treatment and recycling, in a holistic manner. Public-private partnerships can be the ideal vehicle for integrated waste management. What do you think of our waste management rules and regulations? They are fine. In fact, we are leaders in formulating laws, but we lack in implementation. The government can't do everything on its own. All of us need to do our bit. At the same time, the environment ministry is showing greater sensitivity and is revisiting the regulations. You have been harnessing wind and solar energy for long. Do you have any expansion plans in renewables? We were one of the first ones to tap into wind energy, but it was for our own consumption. We are using solar energy on a small scale. We have no plans to diversify into wind or solar energy. However, we are looking at other forms of bioenergy. Where do you see Excel in the future? We see ourselves as a growing, adaptive, environmentally and socially responsive company.