The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) of India published the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2026, on March 31, 2026, and the rules came into force on the same day. While based on the draft released on June 3, 2025, several provisions have been revised. The amendments mainly focus on food packaging, including drinking water packaging. Specifically, the reuse targets for Category I (rigid plastic packaging) used for food packaging have been further subdivided, and new exemptions have also been introduced.
Revisions to Category I Packaging Reuse Targets
The reuse targets for Category I (rigid plastic packaging) by brand owners have been amended, as shown in the table below. A new subcategory has also been introduced for drinking water packaging of 4.9 liters or more / 4.9 kilograms or more.
|
Financial Year |
Reuse Targets of Category I Packaging (as % of Category I packaging in products sold annually) |
|
|
|
Equal to 4.9 L / 4.9 kg or more, used for packaging of drinking water |
Equal to 4.9 L / 4.9 kg or more, used for packaging of products other than drinking water |
|
2025-26 |
70% |
10% (as opposed to 70%) |
|
2026-27 |
75% |
10% (as opposed to 75%) |
|
2027-28 |
80% |
15% (as opposed to 80%) |
|
2028-29 onwards |
85% |
15% (as opposed to 85%) |
Fulfillment of reuse targets for FY 2025–26 may be carried forward for a maximum period of three years starting from FY 2026–27. To qualify, at least one-third of the carried-forward target value must be achieved each year as part of the annual fulfillment target.
Labeling for Packaging Using Recycled Content
Under the previous provisions, plastic packaging containing recycled content was required to display both the resin code and the percentage of recycled plastic content. The amendment introduces the following changes:
-
Displaying the percentage of recycled content is no longer mandatory.
-
For food packaging, labeling requirements prescribed under other applicable regulations, specifically the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, must be followed.
Exemptions from Recycled Content Targets for Food and Other Products
Producers, importers, and brand owners may apply for exemptions from recycled content targets where the use of recycled material is not permitted under relevant regulations for their products, such as food, insecticides, or drugs. To avail of the exemption, the entity must declare it at the time of submitting the annual report.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is also developing guidelines, to be issued within six months, to establish clear verification and auditing mechanisms for the use of recycled materials.
