Page 33 - Plastics News September 2026
P. 33
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
As India’s EPR ecosystem matures, the com- EPR obligations expand, companies increasingly
mercial opportunity is likely to extend beyond depend on formal collection systems, traceabil-
recycling itself. Collection networks, traceabil- ity mechanisms and verified recycling process-
ity systems and verified recovery processes es to demonstrate compliance. Strengthening
are becoming increasingly important because these systems requires continued investment in
they enable companies to demonstrate compli- recycling infrastructure, reporting and verifica-
ance under a more rigorous regulatory frame- tion, making them an increasingly important part
work. Businesses that invest in these capabili- of the packaging value chain.
ties early may gain greater control over future
compliance costs and procurement decisions. For businesses that invested early in collection
Those relying entirely on purchasing compli- networks, traceability and long-term recycling
ance certificates, by contrast, remain depend- partnerships, that shift creates an advantage ex-
ent on recycling capacity developed by others. tending beyond regulatory compliance. Verified
As verification standards and enforcement con- recycling capacity becomes part of the supply
tinue to strengthen, access to reliable recycling chain itself, influencing procurement decisions,
infrastructure is likely to become an increasingly access to recycled materials and future compli-
important competitive advantage. ance costs. The competitive question is no long-
er simply who can recycle more packaging. It is
The new competitive asset who can secure reliable access to the infrastruc-
ture that keeps packaging circulating within an
Extended Producer Responsibility is changing increasingly regulated market.
how packaging waste is managed by placing
greater responsibility on producers for collec- Source - https://etedge-insights.com
tion, recycling and regulatory compliance. As
Priyanka +91 7738752172
Pranali +8655737467
September 2026 PLASTICS NEWS 35
