Waste & Recycling magazine and Plastic Recycling Show India (PRSI) organised a round table discussion on plastic waste management in India and Gujarat in particular in Ahmedabad on May 21. The discussion touched upon key topics such as governance structures, infrastructure developments, recycling environment, behavioural change, technological innovations, and the role of businesses and policymakers in driving sustainable practices.

Representatives from recycling companies, technology providers, and industry associations took part and identified challenges, brainstormed solutions, and shared their knowledge, experiences, and successful initiatives in managing plastic waste.

The participants included: Prashant Trivedi of the Indian Plastics Institute, Vivek Agrawal of the Institute of Chartered Waste Managers, Amit Patel of NEPRA, Punit Gopalka of Packhem Umasree, Deep Dalsania of The Trash Company, Aditya Shukla of Saltech Design Labs, Suneet Dabke of Concept Biotech, Nishank Shah of Durogreen  Waste Management, Deepak Mehta of Leevams, Sandip Singh and Jitesh Dadlani of Ishitva Robiotics System and Deepak Sahoo of Aztec Recycling Hub. 

The discussion began with details on India's per capita plastic consumption, which, despite being lower than the global average, is significant due to the country's large population. India is one of the largest users of plastic globally and consequently generates a substantial amount of recyclable material. Approximately 95% of the plastic used in domestic and general domains is recyclable, with multilayer plastics (MLP) posing the most significant recycling challenge.

The conversation revealed that only about 15-17% of plastic waste is effectively recovered and recycled. The remaining waste often ends up in dumpsites or systems where it is not properly processed. This inefficiency is a major concern, especially with single-use plastics and lightweight packaging materials, which are challenging to collect and recycle.

The discussion then shifted to the differences between urban and rural plastic waste management. One of the experts pointed out that historically, there was a value attached to plastic items, leading to better management and recycling practices. However, the introduction of door-to-door garbage collection systems in urban areas has created a dependency on this service, often leading to improper disposal habits. People frequently miss waste bins, resulting in litter around collection points.

In rural areas, plastic use has become widespread, akin to the penetration of common goods like packaged biscuits. However, the lack of structured waste management systems in these regions poses significant challenges. 

Economic and behavioural factors

They also highlighted the absence of the "polluter pays" principle in Gujarat, unlike other states such as Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, where this principle is enforced.  The enforcement is crucial for instilling a sense of responsibility among consumers and businesses, they felt. 

The panel highlighted that most current technologies are designed for large-scale operations, which do not adequately address the diverse nature of waste generation in rural areas. However, small-scale material recovery centres could be established even in rural settings, providing feasible solutions for localised plastic waste management.

The role of government 
Government intervention is crucial in establishing and maintaining an efficient waste management system. The panel suggested that significant investment is required to set up MRFs, recycling plants, and waste-to-energy plants. Government funding, along with public-private partnerships, can address the capital expenditure needed for these facilities. Further, they opined that policies should enforce segregation at the source and ensure that collection vehicles maintain this segregation. The success seen in Goa, where non-segregated waste is not collected, can be replicated in other states, they suggested. Recognising and supporting the informal sector, including waste pickers and scrap dealers, is essential, they highlighted, adding that the informal sector plays a vital role in the waste management ecosystem. Formalising their work through training, protective equipment, and better wages can enhance their efficiency and ensure safer working conditions.

Waste to energy plants 

When considering the establishment of a waste incineration facility, the initial proposition may seem straightforward: there is a significant waste influx of around 500 tons, so an incineration plant appears necessary. However, the reality is far more complex, especially in the context of the high capital expenditure (CapEx) required for such a plant. Once a high CapEx facility is set up, it mandates a continuous supply of feedstock to justify the return on investment (ROI). This often leads to a catch-22 situation: if waste segregation improves, the feedstock volume decreases, necessitating the mixing of waste to keep the incinerator running. This undermines the very principles of waste segregation and recycling.

Speaking about EPR models, a speaker said that a critical aspect of effective waste management is accountability. “Germany serves as an exemplary model, collecting €1.8 billion annually through EPR. This substantial fund supports extensive infrastructure development for waste management. In contrast, India lacks a uniform and accountable framework for waste management. Various authorities like the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) have their mandates, but there is no cohesive strategy ensuring brands and manufacturers are held accountable for waste management,” he said. 

India, with its 166 districts, has district industry centers but lacks district recycling centres. Establishing these centres could serve as hubs for policy promotion, recycling initiatives, and funding local projects. These centres could also link smaller recovery operations in rural areas to larger recycling facilities, ensuring a more integrated waste management system.

A fundamental shift in public attitudes and habits towards waste segregation and recycling is crucial. This change must be enforced through mandates, as voluntary compliance often fails. An example from an Indian municipal corporation, which attempted to penalize non-compliance with waste segregation, illustrates the challenge: public pushback can derail such initiatives. Thus, policies must be designed to be enforceable and accepted by the community.

Economics and technology in waste management

The interplay between economics and technology is pivotal. The most advanced technologies will fail without a sound economic model. For instance, in the U.S. and the U.K., policies mandating the use of recycled materials in products have pushed brands to adopt sustainable practices. In India, however, the absence of such mandates and the reliance on the unorganized sector for recycling leads to inconsistent quality and limited market acceptance.

A critical issue is the quality of recycled materials. In the automotive industry, for example, the use of poor-quality recycled plastics has led to substandard products, compromising safety and durability. Ensuring the quality of recycled materials requires stringent laws and regulations, which are currently lacking in India.

Funding and support for waste management initiatives

Funding remains a significant barrier. Entrepreneurs in the waste management sector often rely on personal investments due to the lack of substantial government grants or support. This financial burden limits the scalability of innovative waste management solutions. Government and private sector funding, along with strategic investments, are essential to scale up operations and implement advanced technologies.

India is setting a bold precedent in the global recycling landscape with its ambitious policies on recycled content in packaging. Unlike its European and American counterparts, which have hesitated to set high standards, India is pioneering with a 30% recycled content mandate for PET bottles. This progressive step is built on the solid foundation of an existing 90-95% collection rate for PET bottles, showcasing India's commitment to environmental sustainability and its leadership in waste management.

The new recycling paradigm

The Indian government’s initiative to mandate 30% recycled content in PET bottles is a groundbreaking move. This policy is based on proven global models where high recycling rates are achievable and effective. By 2025, India aims to commission 20 new recycling plants, with an additional 5-8 plants expected soon after. This infrastructure expansion aims to ensure a 10% annual increase in recycling rates, fostering a robust recycling ecosystem.

Addressing polyolefin challenges

Polyolefin recycling presents distinct challenges compared to PET. However, the Indian experience with PET recycling provides a hopeful outlook. Historically, PET recycling in India started modestly, with collectors earning just ₹2 to ₹5 per bottle. Over time, this value has increased significantly, reaching ₹45 to ₹55, depending on quality. This evolution demonstrates that with the right policies and economic incentives, similar advancements can be achieved for polyolefins.

Implementing these ambitious policies is not without its challenges. The introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2017 provides a useful parallel. Initially, there were numerous loopholes and attempts to circumvent the system. However, over time, with enhanced tracking mechanisms, compliance improved significantly. A similar trajectory is expected for waste management, where the industry will gradually adapt to new regulations, leading to a more efficient and accountable system.

The success of EPR policies hinges on the cooperation of all stakeholders, including waste collectors, aggregators, and recyclers. Although there will be initial resistance and attempts to exploit the system, the overall trend will be towards greater compliance and efficiency.

One key concern is the differential treatment of businesses under EPR mandates. Currently, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are exempt from certain EPR obligations. This creates an imbalance, as larger businesses bear the brunt of compliance.