Recycling Reality: India's Plastic Problem

India's plastic recycling rate stood at 8% in 2019, according to a study. 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 Indian government has set a goal of recycling 67% of plastic waste by 2035, with an annual consumption of 52.9 million tonnes. The plastic recycling market in India was valued at USD 4,090.8 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 6,933.2 million by 2033.

India's plastic recycling rate is 8%

The Indian government 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.

The plastic recycling market in India was valued at USD 4,090.8 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 6,933.2 million by 2033, at a CAGR of 5.22% during the forecast period 2024-2033. Mechanical recycling is the most common method, which sorts, shreds, washes, and melts down plastic into pellets which can be moulded into new products.

India's plastic recycling market value

India's plastic recycling market was valued at USD 4,090.8 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 6,933.2 million by 2033, at a CAGR of 5.22% during the forecast period 2024-2033.

Despite the market value, 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 often reports recycling rates for plastics of 60 to 70%, 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% 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, including a comprehensive view of the entire plastics value chain and systemic policy recommendations. The team set a goal of recycling 67% of plastic waste by 2035, with an annual consumption of 52.9 million tonnes.

India's plastic waste generation

India generates nearly 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day, more than any economy except the United States and the European Union. The country's plastic recycling rate stood at 8% in 2019, though India often reports recycling rates of 60-70%. This may be true of some valuable plastics, but the comprehensive material flow account (MFA) of plastics undertaken for this study determined a total circularity rate of 8% in 2019. That is, only 2.0 Mt of the 24.1 Mt of plastic consumed is returned to another use.

The Indian government 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.

The Indian plastic recycling market was valued at USD 4,090.8 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 6,933.2 million by 2033, at a CAGR of 5.22% during the forecast period 2024-2033. Mechanical recycling, the most common method, sorts, shreds, washes, and melts down plastic into pellets that can be moulded into new products like fleece jackets or plastic lumber. This helps reduce reliance on landfills and combats plastic pollution harming the environment.

India's plastic recycling methods

India's plastic recycling rate stood at 8% in 2019, although the country often reports recycling rates of 60-70%. This discrepancy is due to the fact that the reported rates only apply to some valuable plastics. India generates nearly 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day, second only to the United States and the European Union.

The Indian government 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.

There are two main methods of plastic recycling: mechanical and chemical. Mechanical recycling is the most common method, which sorts, shreds, washes, and melts down plastic into pellets that can be moulded into new products. Chemical recycling, on the other hand, uses a process called pyrolysis to break down plastics into their chemical components, which can then be used to create new plastics.

India's plastic recycling goals

India's plastic recycling rate stood at 8% in 2019, with the country generating nearly 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day. This is despite India often reporting recycling rates of 60-70% for some valuable plastics.

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 then. The roadmap includes a comprehensive view of the entire plastics value chain and systemic policy recommendations. 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 Indian plastic recycling market was valued at USD 4,090.8 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 6,933.2 million by 2033, at a CAGR of 5.22% during the forecast period. Mechanical recycling is the most common method, which sorts, shreds, washes, and melts down plastic into pellets that can be moulded into new products.

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