Page 38 - Plastics News - April 2026
P. 38
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
♦ Expansion of formal recycling infrastructure ♦ Acceleration of circular economy initiatives
and certification mechanisms
♦ Growth in recycling and material recovery
For Government Authorities industries
♦ Enhanced monitoring responsibilities ♦ Innovation in sustainable packaging solutions
♦ Greater integration of rural and urban waste ♦ Strengthening of the Extended Producer Re-
management systems sponsibility (EPR) framework
10. Key Challenges 12. Conclusion
♦ Limited availability of high-quality recycled The Plastic Waste Management (Amendment)
plastic suitable for sensitive applications Rules, 2026 mark a decisive transition from con-
ventional waste management practices toward
♦ Inadequate infrastructure for large-scale re-
use systems a resource efficiency-driven framework. By man-
dating recycled content, introducing reuse ob-
♦ Compliance complexity, particularly for im- ligations, and reinforcing compliance systems,
porters the amendment is expected to play a transform-
ative role in reshaping India’s plastic packaging
♦ Requirement for robust auditing and verifi-
cation mechanisms and recycling landscape.
Source - MoEFCC
11. Emerging Opportunities
GOA’S DRS PILOT TESTS A NEW MODEL FOR
INDIA’S RECYCLING SYSTEM
oa's Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) is the initiative is being positioned as a potential
designed to tackle non-biodegradable template for other states.
Gbeverage packaging through a digitally
enabled, stakeholder-inclusive framework. It tar- Anthony D’Sa, former Chief Secretary of Madhya
gets non-biodegradable packaging materials— Pradesh and Chairman of the Scheme Adminis-
glass, PET, aluminium, and multi-layered plastic. trator Committee, outlines the system architec-
ture, on-ground readiness, and broader implica-
As India accelerates its shift toward circular tions for India’s waste management ecosystem.
economy solutions, Goa’s upcoming Deposit
Refund Scheme (DRS) is emerging as a closely “The scheme targets non-biodegradable pack-
watched pilot. Designed to tackle non-biode- aging materials—glass, PET, aluminium, and mul-
gradable beverage packaging through a digi- ti-layered plastic. It adapts international mod-
tally enabled, stakeholder-inclusive framework, els to India’s highly complex and decentralised
40 PLASTICS NEWS April 2026
