Tackling India’s waste management crisis

Over the last two months, WhatPackaging? surveyed more than 130 people to understand their knowledge of waste management and recycling. The analysis was conducted along the lines of income groups to see whether the knowledge gap had anything to do with wealth.

Waste management is the need of the hour in our country. Given the population, what we have ahead of us is a gargantuan task, what with the scale of waste generation, the many different types of waste, and the lack of infrastructure and resources in most parts of India.

A report by Statista said, “The amount of municipal solid waste generated in India surpassed 170,300 metric tonnes per day in the financial year 2022. This represented an increase of about six per cent in comparison to the previous year. Maharashtra produced the most municipal solid waste across the country that year.”

The survey conducted by WhatPackaging? found that the majority of respondents struggle to identify different types of plastic used in packaging. Only 28.4% of 130+ participants could distinguish between plastic types, while the rest admitted they could not. 18.52% were uncertain, highlighting a lack of confidence in recognising plastics.

As income increased, fewer respondents in higher income groups struggled with identifying plastics, suggesting better access to education or resources on sustainability. In the highest income group (over Rs 15,00,000), people could identify plastics, but there was still a notable number of “No” responses, indicating that knowledge gaps persist even among wealthier individuals.

When asked about their awareness of recyclability criteria for packaging materials, 44.44% of respondents were aware, 38.27% were unaware, and 17.28% were uncertain. Although many people have some knowledge of recyclability, a significant portion remain uninformed.

The survey also revealed key trends based on income groups. In the lowest income group (under Rs 3,00,000), there were higher numbers of people unable to identify plastic types, though awareness of recyclability was relatively strong, with 12 respondents acknowledging it. 

In terms of recyclability awareness, the smallest income group showed significant understanding, while the middle-income groups displayed more mixed responses. Higher-income groups, particularly in the ranges between Rs 10-lakh and Rs 15-lakh, showed less awareness, suggesting that awareness levels do not always correlate with income.

Overall, while many individuals are aware of recyclability, there is a clear need for greater education, especially in higher-income groups where the availability of resources could enhance knowledge.

The waste divides
Dr Swaminathan Sivaram is currently a senior scientist with the Indian National Science Academy, and an honorary professor at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, (IISER), Pune. 

He told WhatPackaging? in 2024, “The chief thing was how divisive definitions tarnished the sustainability drive,” and how industry bodies had struggled to agree on the terms recycled and reuse, which created confusion among consumers. He stressed, “Conflating re-use economy with circular economy was incorrect messaging.” This confusion around terms and their meanings contributed to the lack of consumer awareness about proper recycling practices.

Dr Sivaram highlighted the poor management of plastic packaging waste, especially in lower and upper-middle-income countries. The lack of proper facilities for safely disposing of waste had been a huge obstacle, and ineffective laws and bans that were not enforceable exacerbated the issue.

He discussed the complexities of recycling different types of plastic, noting that plastics existed in so many types and forms, which made sorting and recycling complex and challenging. Dr Sivaram discussed the complexity of recycling plastics because plastics exist in many types and forms. Mixing different plastics harms the quality of the recycled material, adding further challenges to effective waste management and recycling.

Rules of the game
The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, were introduced to tackle India’s growing plastic waste problem. These rules raised the minimum thickness of plastic carry bags from 40 to 50 microns to aid in recycling. They expanded waste management responsibilities to rural areas, previously restricted to municipalities, and established an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system. 

Under EPR, producers and brand owners are responsible for managing the plastic waste from their products. A fee system was introduced to support local waste management infrastructure, and plastics are encouraged to be reused in applications like road construction or energy recovery. Retailers must ensure their products comply with these rules, and penalties are imposed for non-compliance.

Enforcing these regulations, however, has hurdles aplenty. Many consumers and producers remain unaware of the rules, leading to continued non-compliance, such as the sale of substandard plastic bags. Rural areas face difficulties due to the lack of infrastructure and resources for waste collection and recycling. Furthermore, the absence of efficient recycling facilities in parts of India limits the effectiveness of the rules. 

Enforcement is often weak, compounded by inadequate monitoring and a lack of political will in some areas, hindering progress. As a result, while the rules provide a strong framework for addressing plastic waste, significant challenges remain in ensuring compliance and achieving the desired environmental outcomes.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), introduced under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, holds producers, importers, and brand owners accountable for managing the plastic waste generated by their products. They are required to ensure that waste is recycled, reused, or disposed of using methods such as waste-to-energy or plastic-to-oil. The system is facilitated through an online portal where producers must register their products, enhancing transparency and traceability. The guidelines, amended in 2022, aim to ensure that all producers comply with these obligations.

However, enforcing EPR faces several challenges. Many producers, particularly small-scale ones, fail to register on the online portal, evading their responsibilities. Additionally, tracking and ensuring that all producers meet their obligations is difficult due to gaps in monitoring and reporting. Small producers lack the resources, knowledge, and infrastructure to manage their waste efficiently, leading to a disparity in compliance. Moreover, there is inadequate waste processing infrastructure in place, meaning many producers struggle to meet their recycling targets. These challenges highlight the need for a more robust enforcement mechanism and better support for small producers to ensure the effective implementation of the EPR system.

The Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2016, were introduced to improve waste management practices across India, including segregation of waste at the source. These rules apply to both urban and rural areas, covering all waste generators from households to industries. 

Local authorities are tasked with overseeing the implementation, including the development of waste-to-energy projects. Special provisions exist for hilly areas, encouraging waste transfer stations over landfills. The rules also promote the bioremediation of old landfills and the establishment of composting and recycling facilities.

One of the most pressing issues with the SWM Rules is the poor segregation of waste at the source, especially in urban areas with high population densities. Without proper segregation, recyclable materials like plastics are mixed with other waste and sent to landfills. Additionally, many areas lack sufficient waste processing infrastructure, such as composting units or waste-to-energy plants, resulting in improper disposal of plastic waste. 

Local authorities often struggle to enforce the rules due to inadequate funding, limited manpower, and insufficient technical expertise. Waste-to-energy projects, though promoted by the rules, face high costs and technical challenges, further delaying their implementation. These issues underscore the need for increased resources, capacity-building, and public awareness to ensure the rules’ success.

The verdict: WhatPackaging? advocates the need for smarter, sustainable packaging solutions amid rising consumer demand for eco-friendly options. However, despite efforts, the plastic recycling industry remains underperforming, with most plastic waste not being recycled.