Responsible consumption and production India's revolutionary roadmap to tackle plastic pollution

Project summary

India is experiencing heightened severity of plastic pollution due to a rapidly growing wealthy middle class and the sheer volumes of plastic waste generation associated with a growth economy. Twenty-six thousand tonnes of plastic waste is generated in India each day, with only eight per cent of the plastic waste being recycled. India has a substantial challenge ahead to tackle its domestic plastic pollution problem.  

Research collaboration between six Indian and Australian partners, produced a roadmap report ‘National Circular Economy Roadmap for Reducing Plastic Waste in India’, a pioneering effort aimed at reducing plastic waste destined for landfills or polluting the environment. The roadmap aims to catalyse a more inclusive circular economy for plastics in India by driving innovation and creating value from plastic waste, contributing towards global net-zero targets. 

The research took a whole-of-system approach and was informed by multi-stakeholder perspectives over the three-year period. UTS-ISF led the social program of research, in which four research streams examined policy frameworks and priorities, case studies of circular business models, community and industry-backed initiatives, as well as behaviour change as the underpinning framework to support a circular economy transition. 

The roadmap provides a living framework addressing the entire plastics value chain, the recommendations address both the socio-political and technological interventions needed to accelerate a circular economy for plastics. The solutions are embedded in India’s unique ecosystem, which thrives on a massive informal waste infrastructure, supplemented by local and municipal initiatives to drive community education and engagement.

Read more here

More information

Project website
Indian government press release for roadmap launch
Full roadmap

Project timeframe

2020-2023

SDG targets addressed by this project

Responsible consumption and production:

12.5 – By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.

Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure:

9.3 – Increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises, particularly in developing countries, to financial services including affordable credit and their integration into value chains and markets.

9.4 - By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities.

Sustainable cities and communities: 

11.6 - By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.

Back to SDG 12 Responsible consumption and production