The Association of PET Recyclers (APR) Bharat highlighted that the government’s new guidelines, effective April 1, requiring brands and producers to incorporate 40% recycled content in food-grade PET packaging, will enhance India’s circular economy. This move is a crucial step in India’s commitment to sustainable resource management, especially amidst global supply disruptions and uncertainties affecting the availability and pricing of virgin PET, as stated by APR Director General Goutham Jain.
The recent authorization by the FSSAI for 17 recycled PET manufacturing plants in March has unlocked a capacity of 3 lakh tonnes, further supporting the circular packaging economy in the country. These plants have adopted advanced technology and adhere to standards approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) guidelines, companies failing to meet the 30% recycled PET target for food contact applications by 2025-26 can carry forward the shortfall over the next three years. However, they are required to fulfill at least one-third of the carry-forward target annually.
APR Director General Jain mentioned that with the current authorized capacities, India is well-equipped to supply up to 50% of the total PET requirement for bottling applications using recycled material. The mandate is anticipated to drive the adoption of recycled PET (rPET) in the food and beverage sector, creating a strong demand for high-quality recycled materials and bolstering the domestic recycling ecosystem.
The new policy aligns with the Plastic Waste Management Rules, which stipulate a gradual increase in recycled content from 30% in 2025-26 to 60% by 2028-29, aiming to reduce plastic waste leakage into the environment and lessen reliance on virgin plastics.
