Delay in recycled plastic content mandate threatens livelihoods and investments – APR Bharat

INDIA – The Association of PET Recyclers of Bharat (APR Bharat) has raised alarm over the continued delay in enforcing India’s mandatory recycled plastic content requirement.

It warns that the setback is undermining livelihoods, eroding investor confidence, and stalling progress toward a circular economy.

The Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, amended in 2022, mandated progressive use of recycled content in rigid plastic packaging, including beverage-grade PET bottles, beginning April 1, 2025.

However, a June 2025 notification from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) allowed brand owners to defer compliance, carrying forward shortfalls for up to three years starting in 2026–27.

According to APR Bharat, this postponement has already had damaging consequences. More than two million rag pickers, the backbone of India’s informal recycling ecosystem, are struggling to survive as prices of post-consumer PET bottles have collapsed due to lack of demand.

“The delay has made it unviable for rag pickers to earn even basic wages, threatening the livelihood of millions who have silently contributed to India’s recycling and environmental goals for decades,” the association said in a statement.

At the same time, India’s recycling industry has invested heavily in food-grade recycled PET (r-PET) facilities, anticipating demand from brands.

Many of these units, equipped with FSSAI-certified infrastructure and designed to meet international safety standards, are now running at a fraction of capacity or facing shutdowns.

“This uncertainty is sending the wrong signal to investors and MSMEs who trusted government notifications and made large capital investments,” said Goutham Jain, Director General of APR Bharat.

“It weakens India’s credibility as a country that offers regulatory certainty and respect for policy continuity, both cornerstones of Ease of Doing Business.”

Globally, demand for recycled PET has surged as brands and governments push to meet sustainability targets.

India’s recycling sector was seen as a potential leader in this space, capable of creating thousands of jobs while reducing dependence on virgin plastic. But without timely enforcement of the mandate, the industry risks losing momentum.

APR Bharat has urged the government to immediately enforce the recycled content mandate, introduce time-bound brand compliance, and put in place strict monitoring mechanisms.

The association also called for recognition and welfare support for rag pickers, who form the base of the value chain.

“India stands at a crucial juncture where environmental sustainability, social justice, and industrial growth can go hand in hand,” Jain added.

“We remain committed to working with government, brands, and civil society to build a plastic circular economy that is fair, inclusive, and future-ready.”

Subscribe to our email newsletters that provide busy executives like you with the latest news insights and trends from Africa and the World. SUBSCRIBE HERE