Regulatory & Policy

The proposed shift to paper, paperboard, or cellulose would require a complete redesign of packaging lines, as paper-based materials have different barrier properties, seal requirements, and shelf-life characteristics than plastic laminates.

The Centurion DC’s certification proves that at scale, 173,500 square metres, segregation, partnerships with recyclers, and food donation programmes can divert over 90 percent of that volume.

The temporary nature of the relief reflects uncertainty about how long the supply disruption will last, a six-month window suggests policymakers hope for de-escalation or alternative supply routes before the end of 2026.

By banning advanced recycling while mandating 75 percent recycling rates, the legislation sets a target that flexible packaging cannot meet with existing infrastructure.

The programme establishes a coordinated downstream process involving evacuation to central aggregation hubs, then to licensed recycling facilities.

Packaging producers and brand owners will be required to gather and maintain detailed information on composition of packaging materials (plastics, paper, inks, adhesives), origin and sourcing of raw materials, recycled content and recyclability performance, and environmental impact indicators including carbon data.

Plastic straws have been a target of single-use plastic bans worldwide due to their short usage time (minutes) and long environmental persistence (centuries).

As Indian brand owners face pressure to increase recycled content in packaging, automotive, and construction sectors, access to affordable scrap becomes a strategic input.

Achieving 99.55 percent diversion means that less than half of one percent of this waste stream reaches landfill, a standard far stricter than typical municipal recycling targets of 50-70 percent.

As packaging regulation becomes more closely linked to sustainability and trade policy, companies are expected to face higher compliance costs and greater pressure to align packaging design, sourcing, and reporting practices across multiple jurisdictions.