Maharashtra is strengthening its circular economy ecosystem by expanding recycling infrastructure, policy support, and rising industrial participation. To support this vision, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) is creating recycling hubs across the state, informed Siddhesh Kadam, Chairman, MPCB. The statement came at the Recycling Vision Series 2026, Pune edition, which concluded on April 27.

Kadam further added that these plans are still at a nascent stage, but the regulatory body seeks to establish five such hubs across Maharashtra to strengthen the recycling ecosystem. “At the same time, we are also seeing encouraging developments in plastic waste management. Increasingly, producers are recognising their responsibility to collect, recycle, and reuse the plastic they generate. With the new central government norms mandating 30% recycled content, the direction is clear, and there is a growing push toward circularity. However, this is not just about plastics,” informs Kadam.

Highlighting Pune’s role, he said that the city functions as an IT and an automobile hub, bringing with it complex waste challenges. This raises critical questions surrounding the disposal of e-waste, battery waste, tyre waste, and broader automotive waste streams generated. “Are we simply discarding them, or are we creating systems to bring them back into the value chain? These are the discussions we need to have, and platforms like this are essential in driving those conversations,” highlights Kadam.

He further added that MPCB is working to evolve beyond a body that merely drafts policies or enforces regulations, towards one that actively engages stakeholders and fosters dialogue leading to actionable outcomes for the Pollution Control Board and the Environment Department, whether in regulation, policy design, or new initiatives.

“Such forums also have the potential to inspire entrepreneurship, particularly among students. When these discussions reach universities and young audiences, they create awareness that recycling and environmental management are not just responsibilities, but also opportunities,” he adds.

Kadam also pointed to earlier challenges within the ecosystem, noting that several pyrolysis units had to be shut down due to a lack of technological understanding and non-compliance with environmental norms. “Through engagement and guidance, we are now working to ensure that such units adopt the right infrastructure and comply with regulations,” says Kadam.

In his presentation at the conference, Sujit Dholam, Regional Officer (BMW), MPCB, outlined the scale of the state’s waste landscape. Maharashtra generates 16,508,839 tonnes of waste annually across 11 streams, alongside 12,647 MLD of effluent and 287,182 tonnes of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs). Processing capacity stands at 14,801,282 tonnes per year, supported by 12,680 recycling units, generating employment for 248,312 people and attracting investments of ₹16,785 crore.

He further added that vehicle scrappage and EV adoption are gaining traction, with 3,740 vehicles scrapped under incentives and 1,666 EVs purchased, accounting for 46.16% of incentive-linked EV uptake. The EV policy mandates public procurement and offers incentives across segments, including up to ₹20 lakh for e-buses.

The Recycling Vision Series has been designed as a travelling, city-specific platform, bringing together policymakers, recyclers, producers, and solution providers to address what is happening on the ground. It has been organised by Media Fusion, in partnership with the MPCB, ahead of the Plastics Recycling Show India and the Bharat Recycling Show, to be held at the NESCO grounds in Mumbai from August 31 to September 3. The two co-located shows are organised by Media Fusion along with Crain Communications.