A major roundtable on “Circular Economy for Plastics – Challenges and Opportunities in India” was held on July 5th at JW Marriott Aerocity, New Delhi. This event is a key step toward the Plastics Recycling Show India 2024, which will be held from December 4th to 6th, 2024, at NESCO in Mumbai.
The roundtable gathered industry leaders and professionals to discuss plastic recycling and waste management in India. With India’s waste management market expected to grow from USD 13.1 billion in 2023 to USD 21.7 billion by 2032, the event focused on critical issues and opportunities in this sector.
Speakers at the event included Shailendra Singh, CEO & Founder of SustainMantra, Prashanth Singh, Co-Founder and CEO of Blue Planet, Kamran Ahmed, Founder and Director of Envofix,Rajesh Pahwa, Founder & CEO of 21st Century Polymers andDr. Arun Kumar Sharma, Founder of Ecube India 3R Waste.
Other contributors were Punit Singhal, Director of JB Ecotex, Saurabh Goenka, Director of Pashupati Group, Paras Gupta, Director EPR & Sustainability Head of Gem Recycling, Aditya Pareek, Business Development Head at Race Eco Chain Ltd, Yash Sharma, Director of Ganesha Ecopet, Vivek Tandon, Founder of revalyu, Vaibhav Rathi, Senior Technical Advisor at GIZ India, Indumathi, Operator of Ward 150, DWCC in Bangalore, Vidya Bhooshan Singh, Plastic Waste Expert at IPE Global and Manoj Gupta, Lead Sustainability at Plastics Experts
Discussions were enriched by Akbar Allahbaksh, Director for Program Design at Hasiru Dala, and Deepanshi Gandherva, Senior Project Coordinator at the Indian Pollution Control Association (IPCA).
Prashanth Singh, Co-Founder and CEO of Blue Planet, said, “We’ve made good progress in plastic waste management, but India’s huge legacy waste problem is still a big challenge. At Blue Planet, we’ve handled over 25 projects in seven states, processing 1.5 million tons of waste with help from 62 cement plants. RDF, the most difficult waste stream, makes up 15-25% of the waste and is a major challenge. We still face issues with funding, decision-making, and policy standardization. To build a sustainable future, we need local solutions, educate the youth, focus on ESG, create fair agreements, and take risks. Together, we can build a strong foundation for the future.”
Indumathi, Operator at Ward 150 Dry Waste Collection Centre (DWCC) in Bellandur, Bangalore, said, “As someone deeply involved in waste management, I see many challenges. Low-value plastics and Multi-Layered Plastics (MLPs) have little economic value, leading to their disposal and environmental harm. We collect 75-80 kilograms of single-use plastic daily, worth INR 2,000-2,400, showing the scale of the issue. We also deal with 600 kilograms of MLPs daily, which are hard to dispose of. Only 20-30% of waste is managed through our centers, leaving 70-80% unaccounted for. We need to include waste pickers in the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, giving them training and support. By empowering waste pickers, we can improve waste management and reduce environmental harm. We urge stakeholders to help drive this important change.”
Shailendra Singh, CEO and Founder of SustainMantra, said, “Recycling is gaining momentum due to new regulations and global focus on plastic waste. Consumers are more aware of the environmental impact of plastic. India’s recycling sector is still young, despite good market conditions. To reach its full potential, the industry needs a strong circular economy framework, unified policies, and strategic investments in waste management infrastructure. Waste, valued at about INR 15,000 crores, must be seen as a valuable resource. Creating jobs and protecting the environment are key. Growth depends on overcoming technical barriers, effective EPR systems, and sustainable financing. We also need to address the broader waste stream, including the 90% of wet waste. Working together, we can create a sustainable future for India, generating jobs and reducing carbon emissions.”
Vaibhav Rathi, Senior Technical Advisor at GIZ India, said, “The problem is managing plastic, not plastic itself. Rapid urbanization has increased consumption, but poor waste management harms the environment. Local solutions like hub-and-spoke recycling models, policy changes, and financial innovations are crucial. Cities need to take responsibility, using local laws and knowledge to set up recycling hubs and partner with nearby cities. EPR has a role but is not the only solution. Entrepreneurs must innovate to create a sustainable and economically viable waste management system.”
The roundtable showcased the appeal of the plastics industry in India, focusing on its dedication to sustainability and environmental care. Advances in sustainable packaging, recycling technologies, and biodegradable polymers are bringing positive changes to the industry. This focus on sustainability aligns with global environmental goals and presents young entrepreneurs and startups with a great chance to enter the market with innovative, eco-friendly products.
