**Executive Summary**
This document summarizes the Indian government's initiatives regarding the transformation of the polymer and plastic industry, focusing on circular economy promotion and plastic waste management. It addresses the government's strategies, regulatory measures, and support for bio-degradable alternatives. It also specifies requirements for local bodies and Gram Panchayats regarding waste segregation and collection. The information provided was answered on 06/02/2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Regulatory Framework and Policy Measures:**
* A regulatory framework for plastic waste management has been developed to promote a circular economy.
* Policy measures are prescribed under the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules to reduce plastic waste generation and ensure safe disposal.
* PWM Rules, notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), focus on plastic waste minimization.
* Initiatives include a ban on high-litter single-use plastics, source segregation of waste, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Producers, Importers, and Brand Owners (PIBOs).
* Mandatory targets are set for reuse, recycling, and recycled content in plastic packaging.
* **Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Guidelines:**
* The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the Guidelines on EPR for plastic packaging on February 16, 2022.
* The Guidelines stipulate mandatory targets on Producers, Importers and Brand owners (PIBOs) for recycling of plastic packaging waste, reuse of rigid plastic packaging and use of recycled plastic content
* **Promotion of Bioplastics:**
* The Department, through CIPET and the Centres of Excellence, promotes research in bioplastics.
* CIPET develops sustainable packaging solutions using biopolymers like PLA, PBAT, and PHB.
* IIT Guwahati and IIT Madras are working on promoting bioplastics and their applications.
* A provisional Indian Standard IS 17899T:2022 has been published for the assessment of biodegradability of plastics in varied conditions.
* **Waste Segregation and Collection:**
* As per Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, local bodies and Gram Panchayats are mandated to ensure segregation, collection, and channelization of waste for recycling.
* **Waste Processing Infrastructure:**
* Under the Swachh Bharat Mission - Urban 2.0, central assistance is provided to set up various waste processing facilities, including Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), composting plants, and plastic waste processing facilities.
* A 'Plastic Waste Management Advisory' has been developed to manage plastic waste through reduce, reuse, recycle and recovery techniques.
* 'Swachh Survekshan and Star Rating Protocol' have been introduced aligned with Plastic Waste Management (amendment) Rules 2021 to encourage cities to phase out single-use plastic.
* CIPET has established four demonstration Plastic Waste Management Centre (PWMC) at Bhagalpur, Bengaluru, Varanasi and Sanand to develop cost effective recyclates and host Demonstration Facility for recycling technology.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Producers, Importers, and Brand Owners (PIBOs)**
* **Impact:** Subject to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging.
* **Action Required:** Meet mandatory targets for recycling, reuse, and use of recycled content, as stipulated in the EPR Guidelines.
**Stakeholder: Local Bodies and Gram Panchayats**
* **Impact:** Mandated to manage waste segregation and collection.
* **Action Required:** Ensure segregation, collection, and channelization of waste for recycling, as per the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for notifying and implementing guidelines and rules related to plastic waste management.
* **Action Required:** Enforce the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules and Guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
**Stakeholder: CIPET and Centres of Excellence**
* **Impact:** Involved in promoting research and development of bioplastics and sustainable packaging solutions.
* **Action Required:** Continue developing innovative solutions and test facilities for biodegradable plastics.
**Stakeholder: States**
* **Impact:** Need to select waste processing infrastructure based on their needs.
* **Action Required:** Plan, build, and maintain infrastructure to support waste processing, and reduce plastic waste generation.
**Stakeholder: Citizens**
* **Impact:** Expected to adhere to rules and guidelines to reduce the use of single-use plastics.
* **Action Required:** Practice source segregation of waste, reduce consumption of single use plastic.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC): The ministry that notified the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules and Guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging.
Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules: Prescribes various policy measures to reduce plastic waste generation and promote safe disposal. Gives thrust on plastic waste minimization, source segregation, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
Guidelines on the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging: Notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) on 16th February, 2022. Stipulates mandatory targets on Producers, Importers and Brand owners (PIBOs) for recycling of plastic packaging waste, reuse of rigid plastic packaging and use of recycled plastic content.
CIPET: Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology. Promoting research in the area of bioplastics. CIPET established test facility at 11 centres to determine the aerobic biodegradability.
Swachh Bharat Mission - Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0): A program that provides central assistance for setting up various types of waste processing facilities, including those for plastic waste. Aims for 100% Garbage Free Cities (GFC).
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICALS & PETROCHEMICALS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1256
ANSWERED ON 06/02/2026
TRANSFORMATION OF POLYMER AND PLASTIC INDUSTRY
1256 # DR. D. PURANDESWARI:
Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:
(a) the circular economy roadmap for the polymer and plastic industry transformation by
2030;
(b) whether the Government is promoting recycled plastics usage through incentives and
regulatory mandates, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government is providing support for developing bio-degradable polymer
alternatives to conventional plastics, if so, the details thereof;
(d) the waste segregation and collection mechanisms for ensuring effective plastic
recycling;
(e) whether the Government is establishing infrastructure for processing and converting
plastic waste into value-added products, if so, the details thereof; and
(f) the manner in which the Government balance plastic waste reduction with domestic
polymer industry competitiveness?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
Ans for (a) & (f)
To promote the circular economy in the country for polymer and plastic industry a regulatory
frame work for management of plastic waste has been developed. To reduce plastic waste
generation and safe disposal various policy measures are prescribed under Plastic Waste
Management (PWM) Rules. These rules have been notified by the Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).The rules give thrust on plastic waste minimization
through ban on high-litter single-use plastic products; source segregation of the plastic waste;
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) of Producers, Importers, and Brand Owners (PIBOs)for the entire lifecycle of their plastic packaging; mandatory targets for reuse, recycling and
use of recycled content for plastic packaging.
(b)
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the Guidelines on the
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging on 16th February, 2022. The
Guidelines stipulate mandatory targets on Producers, Importers and Brand owners (PIBOs) for
recycling of plastic packaging waste, reuse of rigid plastic packaging and use of recycled plastic
content
Since 2022, as per information available on the dashboard of Centralized online EPR portal for
plastic packaging, there are 3012 plastic waste processors registered under EPR guidelines and
around 191 lakh tonnes of plastic packaging waste has been processed.
(c)
The Department through CIPET and the Centres of Excellence is promoting research in the
area of promotion of bioplastics. CIPET through its Research & Developmental wing has been
developing innovative solutions in the area of development of sustainable packaging
(rigids/flexible) using biopolymers like PLA (polylactic acid), PBAT (polybutylene adipate-
co-terephthalate, and PHB (polyhydroxybutyrate), Seaweed etc. The Department’s Centres of
Excellence (CoE) at IIT Guwahati and IIT Madras are also working on promoting bio-plastics
and their applications. IIT Guwahati is developing the technology for production of Poly Lactic
Acid and its applications development. IIT Madras is working on developing packaging from
bio-based resources.
Further to promote and develop Compostable/ Biodegradable Plastic Materials as replacement
of Single Use Plastics, CIPET has established test facility at 11 centres to determine the aerobic
biodegradability in soil as per ISO: 17556-2019 and compostable polymers testing as per
IS/ISO: 17088:2021. Recently, BIS with active involvement of CIPET & other members, has
published a provisional Indian Standard IS 17899T:2022 for Assessment of Biodegradability
of Plastics in Varied Conditions. This standard addresses the aspects like biodegradation,
negative effects of resulting biomass on terrestrial plant growth/organism and negative effects
on the quality of the resulting biomass including the presence of high levels of regulated heavy
metals. This standard is applicable for assessing the biodegradability of plastics under aerobic
and anaerobic conditions.
Ans (d) and (e):
As per Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, local bodies and Gram Panchayats are inter
alia mandated to ensure segregation, collection, channelization of waste for recycling either on
their own or by engaging agencies.Under Solid Waste component of Swachh Bharat Mission - Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0), launched
on 01.10.2021 with the objective of attaining 100% Garbage Free Cities (GFC), central
assistance is provided for setting up various type of waste processing facilities such as Material
Recovery Facilities (MRFs), composting plants, bio-methanation plants, Refused Derived Fuel
(RDF) processing facilities, plastic waste processing facilities, waste to electricity plants,
Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste plants, sanitary landfill including Waste to Energy
Plants/ CBG plant.
States have opted for different types of waste processing facilities based on their resources,
technology, topography, type of waste involved, climatic conditions etc. The following
initiatives have also been taken for plastic waste management:
I. A 'Plastic Waste Management Advisory' has been developed capturing the plastic waste
generation and various ways to manage plastic waste through reduce, reuse, recycle and
recovery techniques.
II. ‘Swachh Survekshan and Star Rating Protocol’ have been introduced aligned with Plastic
Waste Management (amendment) Rules 2021 to encourage cities to phase out single-use
plastic, etc.
With the support of the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, CIPET has established
four demonstration Plastic Waste Management Centre (PWMC) at Bhagalpur, Bengaluru
(including e-waste), Varanasi and Sanand to develop cost effective recyclates and host
Demonstration Facility for recycling technology.
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