India Showcases Leadership In Sustainable Packaging At National Expo On Eco-Alternatives And Plastic Waste Management

To mark World Environment Day 2025, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, organized a one-day National Expo on eco-alternatives to banned single-use plastics and plastic waste management at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The expo witnessed participation from 150 startups, recyclers, and local bodies from across India, showcasing innovative technologies and best practices in eco-alternatives and plastic waste management.

As part of the Expo, a thematic session on "Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) on Plastic Packaging: Opportunities and Way Forward" was held, chaired by Shri Neelesh Kumar Sah, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The session was attended by senior representatives and experts from UFlex Limited, Nestlé India, Reliance Industries Limited, Recykal, Lucro Plastecycle Pvt Limited, and 3R Solutions. All panellists welcomed the Government of India’s proactive approach toward EPR and shared how their organizations are aligning with the regulatory framework through innovation and responsible practices.

Speaking during the session, Mr. Jeevaraj Pillai, Director - Sustainability, President - Flexible Packaging and New Product Development, UFlex Limited, highlighted India’s global leadership in implementing EPR policies that are progressive, inclusive, and non-punitive. Unlike EPR models in some other countries that rely on penalties for non-compliance, India’s EPR framework, introduced in 2022, offers a structured 10-year roadmap that enables brand owners, recyclers, and manufacturers to build necessary infrastructure while progressively increasing their sustainability commitments.

Mr. Pillai focused on three key aspects of EPR—recyclability, design for circularity, and end-of-life solutions—and elaborated on the various technologies developed and deployed by UFlex to support these pillars. He spoke about the company’s pioneering efforts in recycling mixed flexible waste using AI based sorting, indigenous enzyme-based solutions to separate paper from complex packaging materials, and the production of food-grade recycled polyester (rPET) approved by the USFDA and aligned with FSSAI guidelines. He further explained the innovations in recycling polyethylene and polypropylene for direct food contact, made possible through de-inking and super-cleaning technologies.

Addressing the challenges of hard-to-recycle materials, Mr. Pillai shared how UFlex has successfully phased out aluminium foil from packaging structures, making them easier to recycle. He noted that although achieving 90% biodegradation within two years remains a challenge, UFlex is making steady progress using specially developed enzymes that make plastic films hydrophilic, allowing microbial colonization and decomposition.

The session underscored the importance of collaborative action and technological innovation in meeting India’s EPR targets and tackling plastic pollution at scale. The National Expo not only demonstrated the industry’s readiness to embrace sustainability but also reaffirmed India’s commitment to driving global solutions for a cleaner, circular economy.