India’s Plastic Waste: Systems Exist; Results Don’t

India has initiatives to tackle plastic waste. What it lacks is coordination, infrastructure and sustained public participation.

In continuation of my last article, let us explore a few more challenges India faces in managing its plastic waste.

Informal Waste Sector

In India, a significant portion of waste—particularly in urban areas—is managed by informal waste pickers. You may often have noticed small children and women sifting through heaps of roadside rubbish, drains, or overflowing bins to collect plastic bottles, polythene bags, wrappers, pouches, and similar items. Yet, because this work remains largely unorganised and outside any formal system, plastic waste collection is far less efficient than it ought to be.

As a society, we should show them the utmost respect and gratitude. Although they do this work to earn their daily bread, they play a crucial role in segregating waste and, in doing so, unknowingly serve both society and Mother Earth. In many neighbourhoods, they are the real first line of recycling. However, despite their significant contribution, their work remains unregulated and unsupported, with little access to safety gear, health protection, or even basic standards of dignity. This makes the process not only inefficient but also hazardous, exploitative and deeply dehumanising.

There is, without doubt, tremendous potential for strengthening waste management through the informal sector, especially if they are recognised, trained and integrated into municipal systems. However, at present, the process of collection and segregation remains fragmented, inconsistent and poorly coordinated.

Inefficient Recycling Systems

Some urban centres have introduced plastic recycling programmes, but the systems in place are often fragmented and ill-equipped to cope with the sheer volume of plastic waste being generated each day. A 2020 report noted that only around 60% of India’s plastic waste is collected, and barely 30% of it is recycled. As a result, large quantities of plastic continue to end up in landfills, clog drains and water bodies, or are simply incinerated—creating yet another set of environmental and health concerns.

A major challenge lies in dealing with certain categories of plastic—particularly multilayered plastic (MLP)—which cannot be recycled easily using conventional methods. MLP refers to packaging material that contains at least one layer of plastic as the primary component, combined with one or more layers of paper and aluminium foil, either as a laminate or as a co-extruded structure. Most companies favour MLP for packaging because it is lightweight, highly water-resistant, and reduces shipping volume. It also helps extend the shelf life of products such as fruit juices, sweets and namkeen, keeping them fresh for longer periods even at room temperature.

However, despite its commercial advantages and widespread use, recycling this type of packaging remains costly and technically difficult, precisely because of its multilayered composition. Separating the layers is complex, processing requires specialised infrastructure, and the economics of recycling often do not make it viable at scale.

Public Awareness and Participation

Despite the many government initiatives aimed at reducing plastic waste, public awareness about the importance of waste segregation, recycling and plastic reduction remains worryingly low. Many people still dispose of plastic carelessly, mixing it with wet waste or throwing it into open bins, drains and public spaces—thereby worsening the problem. (I had elaborated on this in one of my earlier articles in the series.) In addition, there is often little real incentive for individuals and businesses to cut down plastic consumption or actively participate in recycling programmes. Even where systems exist, participation is inconsistent and largely dependent on personal motivation rather than habit or enforcement.

The challenge of shifting consumer behaviour is further compounded by the fact that alternatives to plastic—such as eco-friendly packaging—are often more expensive and less easily available. For many households and small businesses, the cheaper option wins, even when they understand the long-term environmental cost. Convenience, affordability and accessibility still outweigh environmental considerations in everyday decision-making.

My friend’s granddaughter, Malika, who lives in Pune, has a strikingly clear perception of rag-pickers. Once, her grandmother asked her whether their regular ‘kacharewala’ (the household garbage collector) had turned up or not. Malika immediately retorted, “What kacharewala, grandmother… that person is not the kacharewala. We are, because we generate kachara (garbage).”

Will continue in the next week! Till then, have a great weekend!

 (The author is an environmentalist. Views personal.)