Recycling Revolution: Indian Plastic Sales Insight

India's plastics recycling rate stood at 8% in 2019, although other estimates place it at 60%. The country generates nearly 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day, more than any economy except the United States and the European Union. The India recycled plastics market size reached US$ 3,996 Million in 2023, and is expected to reach US$ 6,220 Million by 2032. This article will explore the market for recycled plastic in India, and how much is sold.

The India recycled plastics market size was valued at US$ 3,996 Million in 2023

India's per capita consumption of plastic is 11 kilogrammes, compared to the world average of about 28 kilogrammes and the United States' consumption of 109 kilogrammes, the highest in the world. India generates nearly 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day, second only to the United States and the European Union. The country's recycling rate for plastic stood at 8% in 2019, with about 60% of plastic waste being recycled, according to various estimates.

The Indian government has set a target of increasing consumption to 20 kilogrammes by 2022 and aims to limit the use of single-use plastics. To build a circular plastics economy, a consortium of Indian and Australian research organisations has developed a roadmap to 2035, which includes policy recommendations such as supportive infrastructure, effective recycling, and sustainable consumption.

Plastic recycling in India operates through an informal chain of workers, from ragpickers who sort through waste to dealers who sell the plastic to plants. The process involves five stages: sorting, washing, shredding, identification and classification, and extruding.

The Indian recycled plastics market is expected to reach US$ 6,220 Million by 2032

India's per capita consumption of plastic is 11 kilogrammes, compared to the world average of 28 kilogrammes and the United States' 109 kilogrammes. The Indian government projected consumption to increase to 20 kilogrammes by 2022. India generates around 5.6 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with nearly 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste generated every day. This is the second-highest amount of plastic waste generated by any economy, after the United States and the European Union.

India's recycling rate for plastic stood at 8% in 2019, with about 60% of plastic waste in the country being recycled, according to various estimates. In an effort to build a circular plastics economy, a consortium of Indian and Australian research organisations has developed a roadmap to 2035, with a goal of recycling 67% of plastic waste by that year.

The Indian recycled plastics market can be categorised into several types of plastics, including Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polypropylene (PP), and Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE). Plastic recycling involves five stages: sorting, washing, shredding, identification and classification, and extruding.

India's per capita consumption is 11 kilogrammes (24 pounds)

India's per capita consumption of plastic is 11 kilogrammes (24 pounds), according to figures released by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in 2017. This is significantly lower than the world's highest per capita consumption of plastic, which is in the United States at 109 kilogrammes. The world average is about 28 kilogrammes.

India's plastics recycling rate stood at 8% in 2019, although other estimates place it at 60%. The country generates nearly 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day, more than any economy except the United States and the European Union. In an effort to build a circular plastics economy, a consortium of Indian and Australian research organisations has developed a roadmap to 2035, with a goal of recycling 67% of plastic waste by that year.

The Indian recycled plastics market was valued at US$ 3,996 million in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 6,220 million by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9% during 2024-2032. This growth is driven by the rising adoption of recycled plastics, which aims to reduce plastic pollution, minimise landfill dependence, and conserve resources.

India's plastics recycling rate stood at 8% in 2019

India’s plastics recycling rate stood at 8% in 2019. The country generates nearly 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day, more than any economy other than the United States and the European Union.

India often reports recycling rates for plastics of 60 to 70 per cent, but this may only be true of some valuable plastics. A comprehensive material flow account (MFA) of plastics undertaken for a study determined a total circularity rate of 8 per cent in 2019 – that is, only 2.0 Mt of the 24.1 Mt of plastic consumed is returned to another use.

In an effort to build a circular plastics economy in India, a consortium of Indian and Australian research organisations has developed a roadmap to 2035. The team set a goal of recycling 67% of plastic waste by 2035, with an annual consumption of 52.9 million tonnes. To achieve this, seven types of policy will be needed: supportive infrastructure, effective recycling, consistent compliance, sustainable consumption, awareness and readiness, design for circularity, and commercial viability.

The roadmap also includes recommendations for the short and medium term. By 2025, recycling capacity should hit 35.2 million tonnes and digital product certification and traceability from cradle to grave should be in place. At this point, landfilled plastics should be reduced by 30% and single-use plastics phased out completely. By 2030, recycling capacity should grow to 18.8 million tonnes and digitalisation of the flow chain of polymers should be mandatory.

The rising adoption of recycled plastics is driving the Indian recycled plastics market, which was valued at US$ 3,996 Million in 2023. It is expected to reach US$ 6,220 Million by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9% during 2024-2032.

India generates nearly 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day

India's per capita consumption is 11 kilogrammes (24 pounds) compared to the United States, where it is the world's highest at 109 kilogrammes, according to figures released by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in 2017. The world average is about 28 kilogrammes. Consumption is projected by the government to increase to 20 kilogrammes by 2022. India, the world's second-most populous country, generates around 5.6 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, according to government figures.

The production of plastic has increased in the country, except for the year 2018-19. The production for 2018-19 was 1,589 million metric tonnes, according to a government report. The production of plastic in India increased from 1,591 million metric tonnes in 2014-15 to 1,719 million metric tonnes in 2017-18.

About 60 per cent of plastic waste in India is collected and recycled, according to various estimates. This recycled plastic is used in the manufacturing of several products. The remaining 40 per cent of plastic waste, or 10,556 tonnes/day, remains uncollected and litters the environment.

The India recycled plastics market was valued at US$ 3,996 Million in 2023. It is expected to reach US$ 6,220 Million by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9% during 2024-2032. The rising adoption of recycled plastics, as they aim to reduce plastic pollution, minimise landfill dependence, and conserve resources, is primarily driving the India recycled plastics market.

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