DCPC Joint Secretary calls for an evidence-based study to counter outdated reports portraying India as the top polluter

India has the potential to become a global leader in plastic recycling, a senior government official said, while calling for a new data-driven study to challenge outdated international reports that have labelled the country as the world’s top plastic polluter.

Deepak Mishra, Joint Secretary in the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, said current global assessments fail to reflect India’s progress in plastic waste management and recycling practices. He emphasised the importance of having accurate, up-to-date data to present a more realistic picture of the country’s environmental efforts.

Speaking at a summit organised by the Plastic Packaging Research and Development Centre (PPRDC), Mishra said, “Last year, a global study published in Nature ranked India as the number one contributor to plastic waste. But that was based on outdated datasets and GIS estimates. Today, our plastic recycling rate is closer to 85-90 per cent, a fact acknowledged by international experts as well.”

He pointed out that older studies continue to influence public discourse, even though ground realities have significantly changed. “Even if we accept a conservative estimate of 40-60 per cent recycling, India still ranks far ahead of developed economies like the US and EU, which recycle just about 10–20 per cent of their plastic waste,” he said.

Industry Adapted To EPR, Sees Opportunity In Change
The official also lauded Indian plastic industry for successfully adapting to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime. “When I joined two years ago, there was widespread concern about EPR and compliance burdens. But the industry has taken it in its stride and is now quite optimistic.”

India Has Net Negative Plastic Waste, Urges Global Recognition
Mishra added that many countries export their plastic waste to developing nations, while India has a net negative plastic waste profile and handles a significant share of global recycling. “We need an updated study to present India’s true position in global plastic waste management,” he said.

Calling for more responsible global narratives, the official concluded, “India’s efforts in circular economy, recycling and regulatory reform deserve acknowledgement. We are only halfway through, but we are on the right path.”