Use of recycled plastic in packaging made mandatory, new rules to boost circularity | India News
New Delhi: The Center has notified amendments to the Plastic Waste Management Rules, mandating manufacturers, importers and brand owners to use recycled plastic in packaging and a label and marking indicating the use of recycled materials.The new rules notified by the environment ministry on Tuesday contain strict compliance provisions, making recycling and waste management systems stronger and more comprehensive.They also set sector-wise targets, which will increase progressively from 2025-26 to 2028-29 and thereafter, for the use of recycled plastics in packaging as per standards set by the government.Manufacturers and importers are also required to comply with the “Applicable Marking and Labeling Requirements” specified by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for food items.However, the targets for mandatory use of recycled plastic in packaging will not be applicable in cases where such use is not permitted under various laws or regulations notified by the Central Government or statutory bodies such as FSSAI, Central Drugs Standard Control Organization and Central Pesticides Board.Under the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2026, the Central Pollution Control Board will develop a mechanism for reporting the use of recycled content on a centralized online portal.The State Government and UT administration will constitute respective State/UT-level Monitoring Committees for effective monitoring and implementation of the revised rules.Local bodies in urban and rural areas will be the ground-level authority to enforce the rules, which will come into force immediately.
