Page 44 - Plastics News - April 2026

ENVIRONMENT NEWS
faster land allocation for waste processing units,
stricter landfill restrictions, and time-bound re-
mediation of legacy dumpsites through biomin-
ing and bioremediation.
Local bodies have been assigned a more defined
role in collection, segregation and transporta-
tion, with material recovery facilities formally
recognised as key sorting hubs. The rules also
promote the use of refuse-derived fuel (RDF)
GOVERNMENT MANDATES FORTY PERCENT
RECYCLED CONTENT IN FOOD PACKAGING
n a major push toward building a circular
economy, the government has notified final
Iguidelines mandating the use of 40% recycled
content in food-grade PET packaging. The new
rule will come into effect from April 1, 2026, re-
inforcing the country’s commitment to sustain-
able resource management and plastic waste
reduction. The policy aligns with Prime Minister
Narendra Modi’s circular economy vision, which
aims to promote recycling, reduce dependence
on virgin plastic, and strengthen India’s domestic
recycling ecosystem.
Policy to Boost Sustainable Packaging and Re-
duce Import Dependence
According to Goutham Jain, Director General of
46 PLASTICS NEWS
in industries, raising the substitution rate from 5
per cent to 15 per cent over six years. Special
provisions have been introduced for hilly and is-
land regions, including user fees for tourists and
decentralised waste processing by hotels and
establishments, aimed at reducing environmen-
tal pressure in ecologically sensitive areas.
Source - https://ddnews.gov.in
APR Bharat, the mandate represents a signifi-
cant milestone for India’s sustainability agenda.
The move comes at a time when global supply
chain disruptions and geopolitical tensions are
already affecting the availability and pricing of
virgin PET. As a result, reliance on imported raw
materials has become both costly and uncertain,
making the shift toward recycled PET (r-PET)
even more important for the packaging industry.
Jain noted that increasing the use of recycled
materials will help reduce supply vulnerabilities
while supporting domestic recycling infrastruc-
ture.
FSSAI Approves New r-PET Recycling Capac-
ity
Earlier in March 2026, the Food Safety and
Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) granted
authorization to 17 recycled PET manufacturing
plants across the country. These approvals have
unlocked an estimated 3 lakh tonnes of annual
recycling capacity, strengthening India’s ability
to meet the growing demand for recycled pack-
aging materials in the food and beverage sector.
The newly approved facilities will play a key role
in supporting the government’s recycling man-
date while ensuring compliance with food safety
standards.
April 2026