NEW DELHI: Experts have flagged the leniency of the central government's new plastic waste management rule, questioning its effectiveness. The rule, notified today, promotes the burning of plastic to produce energy and allow carry forward the target of recycling and reuse.
The new Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2026, will replace the 10-year-old regulation and will come into effect at the start of the new financial year. The draft amendment of the rule was issued in June 2025 to gather suggestions from the public.
The new rules explicitly endorse the ‘end-of-life disposal’ of plastic waste for energy recovery. This includes co-processing in industries such as cement and steel, waste-to-energy (WTE) processes, waste-to-oil conversion, and use in road construction, all in accordance with applicable guidelines.
The practice of burning plastic to generate energy remains controversial, as experts argue there is no scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness in managing plastic waste. In various cities, citizens, scientists, and environmentalists have protested against the burning of plastic in WTE plants due to emissions of harmful substances like dioxins, furans, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, particulates, and micro or nano-plastics, which exacerbate air quality issues.
One notable introduction in the rule is a carry-forward mechanism that allows companies to defer their recycling targets. If a company does not meet the required recycling or reuse target for rigid plastic packaging (Category I) in the 2025–26 fiscal year, it will not face immediate penalties. Instead, it can carry forward the unfinished portion to subsequent years.
“This change provides an escape hatch for all fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies, as none have been able to meet the targets for FY2025-26. Last year, when the target came into force, many opposed the recycled content requirement for PET water and beverage bottles,” said Omprakash Singh, a plastic waste management expert. He expressed concern about the potential build-up of plastic waste.
“Essentially, this change in the rules will allow brand owners, particularly FMCGs like Coca-Cola, Reliance, Pepsi, Bisleri, and Rail Neer, to continue postponing any meaningful action.”
Further, the new rule does not introduce significant structural changes but elaborates on the implementation of provisions related to the reuse and recycling of plastic waste.
Packaging contributes to an estimated 40% of total plastic use, a significant portion of which is single-use. Swathi Seshadri, Energy Specialist in Petrochemicals for South Asia at IEEFA, pointed out that India lacks the capacity to promote reuse effectively, as the rule does not prioritise it.
“For reuse systems to be effective at scale, supporting infrastructure and systems must be developed,” Seshadri noted.
A key focus of the amendment is the mandatory use of recycled plastic in packaging, with progressively increasing category-wise targets from FY 2025–26 to FY 2028–29. For Category I rigid plastic packaging, the requirement will rise from 30% to 60%, while Categories II and III will also see defined minimum thresholds. These obligations will apply to producers, importers, and brand owners.
“The progressive targets for recycled content, along with defined reuse obligations and stronger compliance mechanisms, indicate a serious intent to move the industry toward more accountable and transparent systems,” said Ravindra P V, Co-founder and Managing Director of SrichakraPolyplast, a food-grade plastic recycler.