A new study has brought encouraging news for India's waste management and recycling sector, particularly for multi-layered packaging. Despite a significant increase in consumption, the recycling rate for aseptic cartons—the ubiquitous beverage and liquid food packs—has shown marked improvement across the country.
Key Findings from the TERI Report
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) conducted a comprehensive study, revealing that India now recycles approximately 37% of all aseptic cartons placed in the market. This translates to the processing of a substantial 1.35 lakh tonnes of carton waste every year. The study was commissioned by Tetra Pak India, a major player in the packaging industry, and provides a detailed snapshot of the post-consumer collection and recycling landscape for these cartons up to the year 2022-23.
This progress is noteworthy against the backdrop of rising consumption. The use of aseptic cartons in India has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12% over recent years, driven by demand in the dairy, beverage, and processed food sectors. The fact that recycling rates are climbing despite this surge indicates a strengthening of the collection and processing infrastructure.
The Recycling Ecosystem and Material Recovery
The TERI study sheds light on the intricate network that handles this waste stream. The collected cartons are channeled to over 25 recycling partners and 55 sheet manufacturers spread across India. These facilities play a crucial role in extracting value from the used packaging.
Aseptic cartons are composite materials, primarily consisting of paperboard (about 70%), polyethylene (20-25%), and a thin layer of aluminum (around 5%). The recycling process efficiently separates these components. The valuable paper fiber is recovered and used to produce a range of products, including:
- Paper bags and stationery
- Corrugated boxes and boards
- Eco-friendly furniture and roofing sheets
The study highlights that the polyAl (polyethylene and aluminum) layers are also increasingly being recovered. This composite material is repurposed to manufacture sheets, boards, and panels used in construction and other industrial applications, ensuring a more complete material recovery and moving closer to a circular economy model.
Persistent Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite the positive trajectory, the report does not shy away from outlining the significant hurdles that remain. A major challenge is the lack of widespread, systematic waste segregation at the source (homes and businesses). When cartons are mixed with general wet and dry waste, they become contaminated and harder to recycle efficiently.
Furthermore, the study points to gaps in the policy framework. While the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules under India's Plastic Waste Management and Solid Waste Management rules provide a structure, their effective on-ground implementation and enforcement are inconsistent across states and municipalities. Building greater consumer awareness about proper disposal and scaling up collection networks in smaller cities and rural areas are also critical for future growth.
The improvement in India's aseptic carton recycling rate from a lower baseline to the current 37% demonstrates a collaborative effort between producers, recyclers, and policymakers. It underscores a growing recognition of the economic and environmental value locked in post-consumer packaging waste. For the trend to continue, sustained focus on building efficient collection systems, enhancing consumer education, and strengthening policy implementation will be key to managing the waste generated by India's growing consumption.
