Plastic waste recycling: existing Indian scenario and future opportunities

Abstract

This review article aims to suggest recycling technological options in India and illustrates plastic recycling clusters and reprocessing infrastructure for plastic waste (PW) recycling in India. The study shows that a majority of states in India are engaged in recycling, road construction, and co-processing in cement kilns while reprocessing capabilities among the reprocessors are highest for polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) polymer materials. This review suggests that there are key opportunities for mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, waste-to-energy approaches, and bio-based polymers as an alternative to deliver impact to India’s PW problem. On the other hand, overall, polyurethane, nylon, and polyethylene terephthalate appear most competitive for chemical recycling. Compared to conventional fossil fuel energy sources, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene are the three main polymers with higher calorific values suitable for energy production. Also, multi-sensor-based artificial intelligence and blockchain technology and digitization for PW recycling can prove to be the future for India in the waste flow chain and its management. Overall, for a circular plastic economy in India, there is a necessity for a technology-enabled accountable quality-assured collaborative supply chain of virgin and recycled material.