India is strengthening its push toward a circular plastics economy by increasing the mandatory use of recycled plastic in rigid plastic packaging under its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework.
Under the applicable EPR requirements, obligated brand owners must meet prescribed recycled-content targets for plastic packaging. For Category I rigid plastic packaging, the recycled-content obligation increases progressively, reaching 25% for certain packaging in 2028–29 and beyond, while larger Category I rigid packaging has higher prescribed requirements.
The regulatory framework is intended to increase the use of recycled plastic, reduce dependence on virgin polymer and strengthen recycling markets in India. The requirements are being implemented alongside other EPR obligations covering collection, recycling and reuse of plastic packaging.
What this means for the packaging industry
The higher recycled-content requirements are likely to have implications across the packaging value chain, including:
- Greater demand for recycled polymers suitable for rigid packaging applications.
- Higher focus on recycled-content sourcing and traceability by brand owners.
- Increased need for packaging manufacturers to evaluate rPET, recycled PP, recycled HDPE and other suitable recycled resins.
- Greater emphasis on design for recycling and material compatibility.
- Potential changes in packaging specifications, procurement strategies and cost structures.
- Further development of India's EPR certificate and recycled-material ecosystem.
The rules also provide mechanisms through which obligated entities can meet recycled-content obligations, including the use of eligible recycled plastic and applicable certificate mechanisms.
Why it matters
India's tightening recycled-content requirements signal a continuing shift from simply managing plastic waste toward creating demand for recycled material within new packaging. For brands and packaging converters, this makes recycled-content planning an increasingly important part of packaging design, sourcing and compliance.