India's Plastic Recycling Efforts: An Overview

India generates 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day, making it one of the largest producers of plastic waste in the world. Despite this, only a small percentage of plastic waste is recycled in the country. While India often reports recycling rates of 60 to 70 per cent, a recent study has revealed that only 8 per cent of plastic waste is actually recycled. This discrepancy is due to the fact that the reported rates only account for valuable plastics, while the study considered all types of plastic consumed. The study also found that a significant amount of plastic waste is mismanaged or littered, with only 20 per cent collected for recycling in 2019.

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

The report, titled 'The National Circular Economy Roadmap for Reducing Plastic Waste in India', was prepared by leading research organisations from India and Australia. These organisations include the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI).

The study found that even if around 50% of waste is being collected, for example in Delhi, it is not reaching recycling units. This is due to the mismanagement of plastic waste, with an estimated 40% of plastic waste in India in 2019 being mismanaged or littered. After processing losses in both the formal and informal sectors were accounted for, only 13% of total plastic waste generated in India in 2019 was recycled.

To address this issue, a consortium of Indian and Australian research organisations has developed a roadmap to 2035, which includes a comprehensive view of the entire plastics value chain and systemic policy recommendations. The team has 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.

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

The production of plastic in India has increased in recent years, with the exception of 2018-19. In 2014-15, India produced 1,591 million metric tonnes of plastic, which increased to 1,719 million metric tonnes in 2017-18. In 2018-19, the production of plastic was 1,589 million metric tonnes.

The majority of plastic waste generated in India is mismanaged. In 2019, it is estimated that over 40% of plastic waste was either mismanaged or littered, with only around 20% collected for recycling. After processing losses in both the formal and informal sectors were accounted for, only 13% of total plastic waste generated was recycled that year.

A recent study revealed that India recycles only 8% of its plastic waste. This figure is based on a comprehensive material flow account (MFA) of plastics, which determined a total circularity rate of 8% in 2019. However, India often reports recycling rates of 60-70% for some valuable plastics.

To address the issue of plastic waste in India, a consortium of Indian and Australian research organisations has developed a roadmap to 2035. The goal is to recycle 67% of plastic waste by 2035, with an annual consumption of 52.9 million tonnes. This will require policies such as supportive infrastructure, effective recycling, consistent compliance, sustainable consumption, awareness and readiness, design for circularity, and commercial viability.

India often reports recycling rates of 60-70%

The study, titled 'The National Circular Economy Roadmap for Reducing Plastic Waste in India', was prepared by leading research organisations from India and Australia. It found that India generates nearly 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day, more than any economy except the United States and the European Union.

The report suggests a circular economy alternative to the problem, with a goal of recycling 67% of plastic waste by 2035. 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.

Although the figure has improved considerably since the beginning of the century, it is estimated that over 40% of plastic waste generated in India in 2019 was either mismanaged or littered. After processing losses in both the formal and informal sectors were accounted for, only 13% of total plastic waste generated was recycled that year.

India's plastic use is expected to rise to 70.5 million tonnes by 2035

India's plastic recycling rate stood at 8% in 2019. The country generates nearly 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day, more than any economy except the United States and the European Union. India's per capita plastic consumption has grown to approximately 11 kg per year, and this number is expected to rise further with increasing industrialisation and consumerism.

India often reports recycling rates for plastics of 60 to 70 per cent, which may be true of some valuable plastics. However, the comprehensive material flow account (MFA) of plastics undertaken for this 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.

The report, titled 'The National Circular Economy Roadmap for Reducing Plastic Waste in India', was prepared by leading research organisations, three each from India and Australia. These organisations are Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Development Alternatives, the University of New South Wales and the University of Technology Sydney's Institute for Sustainable Futures.

The report suggests a circular economy alternative to the problem. To achieve this and other circular economy targets, seven types of policy will be needed: supportive infrastructure, effective recycling, consistent compliance, sustainable consumption, awareness and readiness, design for circularity, and commercial viability.

If the "business as usual" continues, the recycling capacity would only marginally go up to 11 per cent by 2035, with India's plastic use expected to rise to 70.5 million tonnes (MT) by then from the current production of 24.1 MT. India's plastic waste is the highest in the world, with the country contributing 9.3 million tonnes of plastic pollution annually, accounting for one-fifth of the world's plastic waste.

A goal of recycling 67% of plastic waste by 2035 has been set

India currently recycles only 8% of its plastic waste, with the remaining waste ending up in landfills or being incinerated. However, a new goal has been set to recycle 67% of plastic waste by 2035. This ambitious target is part of a roadmap developed by a consortium of Indian and Australian research organisations, which includes systemic policy recommendations and a comprehensive view of the entire plastics value chain. To achieve this goal, 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 current low recycling rate in India is due to a variety of factors, including mismanagement of plastic waste and a lack of collection infrastructure. It is estimated that over 40% of plastic waste generated in India in 2019 was either mismanaged or littered, and only 20% was collected for recycling. After processing losses were accounted for, only 13% of total plastic waste generated was recycled that year.

The new goal of 67% recycling by 2035 is a significant increase from the current rate of 8%. If "business as usual" continues, it is estimated that the recycling capacity would only marginally increase to 11% by 2035, with India's plastic use expected to rise to 70.5 million tonnes by then. The new roadmap aims to address these issues and build a circular plastics economy in India, where plastic waste is reduced, reused, and recycled more efficiently.

To achieve the goal of 67% recycling by 2035, India will need to implement the seven types of policy outlined in the roadmap. This includes building supportive infrastructure for waste collection and recycling, as well as increasing awareness and readiness among the public. Effective recycling policies will also be crucial, as well as consistent compliance with regulations and sustainable consumption practices. By designing for circularity and ensuring commercial viability, India can create a more sustainable and efficient plastics value chain, reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste.

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