“On World Recycling Day, it is important to recognise that India’s recycling challenge is not just about expanding capacity, but
about strengthening the entire ecosystem that enables quality recycling. Today, only about 30% of India’s plastic waste is
recycled, and while the country has over 2,000 recycling units, less than 5% of this capacity supports high-quality, closed-loop
recycling. At the same time, nearly 80% of plastic collection and primary sorting is driven by the informal sector, making it
central to how the system functions today.This makes it clear that the next phase of progress must focus on improving feedstock quality through better collection and
segregation, while also enabling innovation to scale faster on the ground. As regulatory expectations and demand for high-
quality recycled content continue to rise, there is a clear need to move beyond a volume-led approach to one that delivers
consistent, high-quality circular outcomes.With stronger collaboration between industry, innovators and recyclers, along with targeted investments and policy support,
India has a strong opportunity to build a more resilient and future-ready recycling ecosystem.”
