The 16th International Conference on Sustainable Waste Management & Circular Economy (IconSWM-CE 2026), combined with the IPLA Global Forum 2026, will take place from December 10–12, 2026, in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, India. The conference is currently open for its second call for papers, with an abstract submission deadline of October 30, 2026, and offers both in-person and online attendance options.
This year's event focuses on issues ranging from the circular economy, 3Rs, extended producer responsibility (EPR), solid waste and wastewater management to recycling technology, resource recovery, circular business models, and the application of artificial intelligence in waste management.
International conference on waste management and circular economy
IconSWM-CE is an international forum established by International Society of Waste Management, Air and Water (ISWMAW) since 2009, focusing on issues related to waste management, environmental sanitation, resource conservation, and the circular economy.
According to conference documents, the 16th edition will focus on discussing policies, innovation, practical implementation, and the circular economy in solid and liquid waste management. The event is also introduced as an official pre-event of the 14th Regional 3R & Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific 2027.
The conference is organized at:
Sai Hira Global Convention Centre, Prasanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, India
Time: December 10–12, 2026.
What topics are invited for submission?
The Organizing Committee has announced 10 main thematic groups, spanning from policy to technology and business models.
A. Circular economy, 3Rs and policy
Including:
- Circular Economy and 3Rs;
- Solid Waste Management Regulations 2026;
- EPR – Extended Producer Responsibility;
- Law and policy;
- Governance and implementation;
- Smart cities;
- Sustainable Development Goals – SDGs.
B. Zero waste cities and circular economy in schools
This thematic group focuses on:
- Zero Waste City;
- Zero Waste;
- Circular economy on campus.
C. Solid waste management
Research can focus on:
- Municipal waste;
- Plastics;
- E-waste;
- Industrial waste;
- Hazardous waste;
- Biomedical waste;
- Construction and demolition waste;
- Metals;
- Textiles;
- End-of-life vehicles;
- Steel slag;
- Fly ash;
- Conflict-generated waste;
- Space waste.
D. Technology and innovation
Including technology for:
- Waste treatment;
- Recycling;
- Co-processing;
- Energy and material recovery;
- Waste valorization;
- Innovative solutions in practical implementation.
E. Liquid waste management
Topics may relate to:
- Wastewater;
- Industrial wastewater treatment systems;
- Sewage treatment plants;
- Sludge.
F. Biotechnology and circular bioeconomy
Including:
- Bioprocess;
- Biogas;
- Bioenergy;
- Circular bioeconomy;
- Food waste;
- Agricultural by-products and biomass;
- Composting.
G. Case studies and best practices
This thematic group includes:
- Case studies;
- Best practices;
- Reverse logistics;
- Supply chain sustainability.
H. Business models and sustainable development
The conference also welcomes research on:
- Business models;
- Feasibility studies;
- Theoretical models;
- Startups;
- Sustainable development.
I. Waste-to-Energy and value-added products
Including:
- Waste-to-energy conversion;
- Value-added products;
- Secondary raw materials;
- Nature-based solutions.
J. AI, Machine Learning, IoT and Robotics
One of the notable thematic groups of IconSWM-CE 2026 is the application of:
- Artificial Intelligence;
- Machine Learning;
- Internet of Things;
- Robotics
in sustainable waste management.
Submission deadline on October 30, 2026
According to the announcement of the Organizing Committee, the submission deadline is October 30, 2026.
Authors need to submit:
Abstract: around 200 words.
Full paper: from 6,000–10,000 words, however not mandatory at the initial submission stage.
Formatting requirements outlined in the brochure include:
- A4 paper size;
- Times New Roman font, size 11;
- 25 mm margins on each side;
- Paper title included;
- Author names;
- Affiliations.
- Address;
- Email;
- Contact phone number.
In-person and virtual attendance options
IconSWM-CE 2026 allows participation in both formats:
In-person: attend directly in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Virtual: attend online.
This information is presented directly in the conference's second Call for Papers.
All delegates attending the conference are required to complete the registration procedure as instructed by the Organizing Committee.
Research publication opportunities
The Organizing Committee stated that eligible works may be considered for conference-related publications.
The brochure mentions The Journal of Solid Waste Technology and Management (JSWTM), International Journal of Energy Sector Management, alongside planned books published by international publishers such as Springer Nature, CRC Press, Elsevier, Bentham Science, and Apple Academic Press.
However, authors should note that submitting a paper to the conference does not mean the paper will be automatically published. The selection and publication process depends on the individual requirements and evaluation of each journal or publication.
Participation of an international expert network
The organizers and professional network of IconSWM-CE 2026 bring together researchers and experts from numerous countries and organizations.
Supporting entities mentioned in the document include SINTEF (Norway), Tarlac University (Philippines), Rostock University (Germany), Aston University (UK), IGES Centre Collaborating with UNEP on Environmental Technologies (Japan), Centre for South East Asian Studies (Indonesia), Covenant University (Nigeria), Widener University (USA), and many others.
A forum connecting research with circular economy implementation
A highlight of IconSWM-CE 2026 is that its thematic scope is not limited to end-of-pipe waste treatment. The content groups cover the entire chain from policy – circular model design – collection – treatment – recycling – resource recovery – business models – digital technology – AI. This approach allows waste research to be placed within the broader context of the circular economy, resource governance, and sustainable development. Notably, topics such as EPR, zero waste, reverse logistics, secondary raw materials, waste-to-energy, circular bioeconomy, and AI in waste management demonstrate that the conference focuses on both policy issues and practical implementation solutions.
A dedicated conference for school students on waste management and circular economy
Alongside the main scientific program, IconSWM-CE 2026 also organizes the 4th School Children’s Congress on Waste Management and Circular Economy on December 10, 2026.
This activity is associated with ISWMAW's "Catch Them Young: Zero Waste & Circular Economy in Campus" initiative.
According to the brochure, the initiative has attracted 532,600 school students across 9 countries to participate in activities shifting perception from littering to utilizing waste as a resource and livelihood opportunity.
Organizing bodies
IconSWM-CE & IPLA Global Forum 2026 is organized by:
- Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust;
- Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning;
- International Society of Waste Management, Air and Water – ISWMAW;
- International Partnership for Expanding Waste Management Services of Local Authorities – IPLA;
- Consortium of Researchers in International Collaboration – CRIC.
The event is organized in collaboration with the United Nations Centre for Regional Development – UNCRD.
Registration and submission information
Conference name: 16th International Conference on Sustainable Waste Management & Circular Economy and IPLA Global Forum 2026
Acronym: IconSWM-CE 2026
Date: December 10–12, 2026
Location: Sai Hira Global Convention Centre, Prasanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, India
Format: In-person and virtual
Abstract submission deadline: October 30, 2026
Abstract: 200 words
Full paper: 6,000–10,000 words, optional when submitting abstract.
Submission/contact email:
iconswm.ce@gmail.com
publication.iconswm@gmail.com
iconswmce@ssscsd.sssihl.edu.in
