Building on the strong momentum of 2024, the Plastics Recycling Show (PRS) India, alongside the first-ever Bharat Recycling Show (BRS) 2025, opened at the Bombay Exhibition Center in Mumbai. Jointly organised by Media Fusion and Crain Communications, the twin events have emerged as the country’s largest platforms dedicated to recycling, bringing together 150 exhibitors, over 8,000 visitors, and participants from more than 10 nations. The shows present a complete spectrum of recycling innovations, technologies, and solutions, reinforcing India’s commitment to sustainable industrial development.
The inauguration welcomed several notable leaders, including Dr Jairaj Phatak (AIILSG), Siddhesh Kadam (MPCB), Sanjay Mehta (MRAI), Sandeep Vakharia (Bombay Non-Ferrous Metals Association), Sushil Kothari (Bombay Metal Exchange), Deepak Rungta (Association PET Recycling), Sameer Joshi (Indian Plastics Institute), Ankit Jain (Ribotl), Prabhakar Milavarapu (Sri Chakra), Pawandeep Singh (Attero), and Sandeep Singh (Ishitva Robotics). Their participation signaled a strong unity among policymakers, industry experts, and sustainability leaders working to strengthen India’s recycling landscape. Over three days, the exhibitions will act as vital forums for recyclers, technology developers, manufacturers, legislators, and investors to exchange ideas, understand new policies, and explore business opportunities shaping India’s circular economy transition.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Kadam highlighted Maharashtra’s leadership in environmental reforms, including being the first state to ban single-use plastics. He underscored recycling as the backbone of a true circular system and stressed the urgency of sustainable practices amid shifting monsoons and rising temperatures. He also shared ongoing efforts to establish incubation centres for youth-led recycling startups, emphasising the potential to transform waste into valuable resources. Adding to this, Ajit Salvi of RCUES noted that recycling must be recognized as a major economic pillar in achieving India’s long-term development goals, including the national vision for Viksit Bharat 2047.
Industry leaders echoed these views. Sanjay Mehta explained MRAI’s long-standing involvement in shaping national recycling policies and stressed the need for accurate data on plastic scrap management to strengthen the sector. BK Soni of Eco Recycling pointed out that the biggest challenge for recyclers remains access to raw material for formal processing. He highlighted the industry’s profitability, the growing demand for recovered precious metals, and the vast investment potential—especially with only 5% of India’s e-waste currently being recycled. He added that public participation initiatives like the #OneBillionCharger movement are essential for bridging material gaps and enabling large-scale recycling growth.
Government support was also articulated by Sumit Kumar from the Ministry of Finance, who reaffirmed the CBIC’s commitment to working closely with industry stakeholders. He cited recent GST and customs reforms aimed at easing compliance and resolving sectoral issues through improved dialogue and transparency. From the organisers’ side, Taher Patrawala of Media Fusion and Matthew Barber of Crain Communications highlighted the growing global momentum behind resource efficiency, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration. They emphasized that the co-located events are designed to foster meaningful conversations, accelerate technological advancements, and contribute to a stronger circular economy framework.
India’s recycling landscape is evolving rapidly: the plastics industry reprocesses over 10 million tonnes of waste each year, the paper sector relies on nearly 45% recycled fibre, and key metals such as zinc still have recycling rates of around 10%—an indicator of the enormous untapped potential. PRS India and BRS 2025 have earned widespread support from leading associations including ILZDA, MRAI, Bombay Non-Ferrous Association, BMR, MTLEXS, ALEMAI, NETRA, BNMA, and the International Copper Association of India, among others. The exhibitions also featured top recycling technology companies such as Power Hydrotech, Apex Knives, Fornnax Technology, Hysan Balers, Advance Hydrautech, and Safar Ecopet.
Together, PRS India and the Bharat Recycling Show 2025 underscore India’s expanding leadership in resource recovery and circular systems, creating a unified platform that champions innovation, collaboration, and sustainable industrial progress.
