The year 2024 marked a transformative shift in India’s journey towards a circular economy, as the waste management and recycling sectors witnessed unprecedented progress. Anchored by the government’s ambitious ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision, policy and regulatory frameworks aligned more closely than ever with sustainability goals, fostering an ecosystem that prioritises resource recovery and minimises environmental impact.

The cornerstone of 2024’s progress was bold policy action. The government, through NITI Aayog, introduced measures aimed at enhancing waste segregation, collection efficiency, and recycling infrastructure. Policies under the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 and amendments to the Plastic Waste, E-waste, Battery Waste and Tyre Waste Management Rules, underscored India’s commitment to tackling waste generation and creating avenues for value recovery.

Notable achievements include a significant improvement in waste collection coverage, which aims to rise from 20% in 2016 to 80% by 2030, and an efficiency gain from 60% to 90% over the same time period. These advancements addressed the urgent problem of managing India’s growing waste quantities, which are predicted to reach 165 million tons by 2030 and an incredible 436 million tons by 2050.

2024 also saw significant strengthening of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks. Mandates requiring 30% recycled content in packaging by 2025 spurred investments in recycling technologies and innovations, such as food-grade recycled PET. India’s PET recycling sector—already a global leader with a 95% recycling rate—became a focal point, with industry investments projected to surpass ₹20,000 crores.

This progress was made possible by increased public-private partnerships and incentives for recycling infrastructure, which helped India create waste-to-value solutions. Campaigns to raise consumer awareness and industry-driven initiatives further solidified the necessity for sustainable business practices. With the advent of the circular economy in 2024, recycling was no longer seen as a standalone operation but rather as a link in a broader value chain.

As the circular economy gained popularity in 2024, recycling was seen as a link in a wider value chain rather than as a stand-alone operation. The rise of recycled rubber, metals, plastics, and e-waste as raw material substitutes underscored the transition to a closed-loop system.

India’s recycling market, valued at $13.1 billion in 2023, is forecasted to grow to $21.7 billion by 2032, reflecting the sector’s resilience and growth potential.

Looking ahead, 2025 trends will center on building on 2024’s achievements:

• More thorough incorporation/ Integration of circular principles: Industries will embrace more ambitious models of the circular economy, going beyond compliance to growth driven by innovation.

• Policy improvements: More material classifications, formalised carbon credits for recycling programs, and anticipated revisions to EPR regulations will all help to further encourage sustainable practices.

The year 2024 proved that India’s waste management and recycling sectors can drive systemic change, transforming challenges into opportunities. By embedding circular economy principles into its growth trajectory, India is poised to lead the global sustainability movement. As we enter 2025, the focus will remain on amplifying this momentum, ensuring that circularity is not just a buzzword but a foundation for a sustainable future.