The Bharat Recycling Show (BRS) 2025, co-located with the Plastics Recycling Show (PRS) India, is set to become India’s largest recycling-focused platform. Ahead of the event, a panel discussion in Mumbai on “Unlocking Circular Value: Regulatory and Market Trends in Recycling” underscored the urgent need for robust regulatory frameworks, innovation, and the inclusion of India’s informal recycling sector.
Organized by Media Fusion and Crain Communications, the joint exhibitions will feature 150 exhibitors and 8,000 visitors from over 10 countries. The event will showcase advanced recycling technologies at the Bombay Exhibition Center from November 13–15, 2025.
Challenges in India’s Plastics Recycling Path
Industry experts highlighted the key barriers in India’s journey toward circularity, particularly in the plastics sector.
Mr. Gurashish Sahni, Co-Founder and COO of ReCircle, explained that while India’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies draw from European models, they must reflect India’s local realities. The informal sector continues to be the backbone of recycling efficiency.
He advocated for integrating this ecosystem with emerging digital technologies like IoT, AI, and robotic sorting to improve traceability.
However, he emphasized that the 18% GST on recycled raw materials, such as bottles, restricts circular progress. If India is serious about circularity, he said, taxes on recycled inputs must be significantly reduced or removed.
Mr. Taher Patrawala, Managing Director of Media Fusion, added that high GST rates and fragmented compliance frameworks remain major obstacles. Platforms like BRS and PRSI, he said, aim to address these issues through dialogue between industry leaders and policymakers.
Integrating the Metal Recycling Economy
Turning to the metals sector, Mr. Sandeep Vakharia, Honorary Secretary of the Bombay Non-Ferrous Metal Association (BNMA), stated that India has long operated as a circular economy where valuable metals rarely go to waste. Recycling copper, he explained, is essential for renewable energy development, reducing import costs, and cutting carbon emissions—helping India achieve its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
He noted that the parallel economy of unrecorded recycling significantly contributes to India’s growth. While official figures value the economy at $4.3 trillion, including the informal sector raises it to over $5 trillion.
Integrating this sector and improving ESG awareness are vital to fully unlocking India’s economic potential.
Need for India-Specific Regulations and Local Capacity
Panelists also stressed the importance of India-specific regulatory frameworks.
Mr. Anuj Maheshwari, Co-Founder of Trace Resource, said that while new regulations for electronics, plastics, batteries, and construction waste are emerging rapidly, large gaps still exist between waste generation and recycling capacity.
He warned that borrowing European models without customization has created challenges. Combined with cascading taxes and non-compliance, these issues hinder commercial viability.
He urged the government to build stronger regulatory capacity, support compliant players, and promote innovation through fair competition.
Mr. Ajit Salvi, Director of RCUES, AIILSG, highlighted the crucial role of urban local bodies. Cities like Indore and Surat, he said, have proven that effective waste segregation is the foundation of a circular economy.
He cited Indore’s seven-category segregation model and Surat’s waste initiatives as benchmarks aligned with Swachh Bharat and AMRIT Yojana missions.
Discussing wastewater recycling, he added that although national guidelines mandate 20% reuse, public reluctance remains a barrier. With water scarcity growing due to population and climate stress, expanding recycling and reuse is essential for long-term sustainability.