The Government of India is aggressively pushing for 100% plastic recycling as part of its ambitious environmental reform agenda, with Union Minister Piyush Goyal leading directives to overhaul industry practices. Starting April 2025, the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules require all rigid plastic packaging, including PET bottles, to contain a minimum of 30% recycled plastic content, rising progressively over the coming years. This move is seen as a watershed step toward a circular plastic economy where plastic is reused and recycled rather than wasted.
The government has introduced extended producer responsibility (EPR) with stringent traceability through mandatory QR codes and barcodes on all plastic packaging, ensuring accountability and enabling authorities to track plastic from production through recycling. This digital integration aims to drastically reduce plastic pollution while compelling manufacturers, retailers and consumers to engage actively in waste segregation and recycling. If effectively implemented, these reforms are expected to double India’s recycling capacity from 6 million to 10 million tonnes per year by 2030, cut macroplastic leakage by 35% and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Minister Goyal has emphasized the need for innovations and investments in recycling infrastructure, with supportive measures like financial incentives for recycling parks. The policy not only aligns India with global standards such as the EU’s packaging directive but positions the country as a frontrunner in tackling plastic pollution among developing economies. Indian industry leaders and FMCG players are already ramping up supply chains to integrate recycled post-consumer resin (PCR), marking a major change in sourcing and manufacturing.
The government’s effort is complemented by public awareness campaigns urging segregation of plastic waste at source and responsible disposal. Citizens and institutions are critical to this success. The holistic approach seeks to create a sustainable, resource-efficient ecosystem that safeguards the environment while facilitating industrial growth and innovation.
In summary, India’s push for 100% plastic recycling under Minister Piyush Goyal’s direction is a comprehensive reform drive incorporating regulatory mandates, technological traceability, industry accountability and public participation. It aims to transition India to a circular economy for plastics, reduce environmental footprint, and set benchmarks in plastic waste governance worldwide.
