Recycled PET mandate: India sets 40% content rule for food-grade packaging from April 1

The Association of PET Recyclers Bharat said new rules on recycled content in food-grade PET packaging should reduce pressure on supply chains. The group linked the change to recent geopolitical uncertainty. It said that uncertainty affected both the price and supply of virgin PET. The association also called the step important for sustainable resource management.

Representative image

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has set a 40 per cent recycled-content requirement for food-grade PET packaging. The Association said the mandate starts from April 1. The group described it as a progressive shift towards a circular economy. It also said the decision would speed up wider use of rPET in food packaging.

Recycled PET packaging mandate and timelines

The ministry’s latest guidelines require 40 per cent recycled content in food-grade PET packaging in 2026-27. The Association said brands and producers must use 40 per cent recycled content from April 1. It added that firms must also manage earlier shortfalls. The policy sits alongside wider plastic packaging rules that increase targets over time.

In a draft notification dated June 3, 2025, MoEFCC allowed carry-forward for unmet targets. The draft covered a 30 per cent recycled-PET goal for food contact use in 2025-26. The Association said shortfalls can be carried for three years. It said at least one third of the carried target must be met each year.

Recycled PET packaging supply, capacity and industry response

In a statement on Thursday, the Associations Director General Goutham Jain said the change would support both industry and sustainability goals. "We wholeheartedly welcome the governments progressive step, which has reinforced confidence in the vision of ensuring a circular economy. The move is set to significantly ease the supply chain disruptions caused due to recent geopolitical uncertainties impacting both availability and pricing of virgin PET. With the current authorised capacities in place, India is well positioned to cater to up to 50 per cent of the total PET requirement for bottling applications through recycled material,\" said Jain.

Jain said the requirement should increase rPET use across food and beverage companies. The Association said this would create stronger demand for consistent, high-quality recycled material. It added that higher demand should support the domestic recycling ecosystem. It also said closing the loop can limit plastic waste leakage and cut reliance on virgin plastics.

The Association said that in March, FSSAI authorised seventeen recycled PET manufacturing plants. It said the approvals opened 3-lakh tonne capacity for circular packaging in India. APR Bharat also described itself as a coalition of companies. It said members focus on responsible recycling of Food Grade PET Polyethylene Terephthalate materials.

Recycled PET packaging rules and investments in facilities

APR Bharat cited the Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016, as amended over time. It said the rules set 30 per cent recycled content in rigid plastic packaging from 2025-26. The Association said the target rises by 10 per cent each year. It said the level reaches 60 per cent in 2028-29 and onwards.

The Association said capacity has expanded to meet the expected rise in recycled-content needs. It said 15-18 food-grade rPET recycling facilities were set up across India. It put combined capacity at about 3 lakh MT. It also estimated investment at Rs 9,000 - 10,000 crore, linked to the rules.

APR Bharat said these recycling companies used modern processing systems. It said factories were built to meet safety and quality requirements for food-grade use. The Association said plants followed standards approved by the European Food Safety Authority EFSA and US Food and Drug Administration FDA. It said the steps were aimed at safe use of recycled material in packaging.

With inputs from PTI