India’s packaging industry is projected to exceed $200 billion in revenues this year, with a growth rate of 26.7%. However, this growth comes with a significant environmental cost, with the country losing nearly $16 billion in material value each year due to unrecovered packaging waste. By 2030, this figure could rise to $160 billion. To address this issue, India can adopt a circular economy approach to packaging, which could unlock $107 billion in material value by 2030 and create 6.5 million new jobs.
The key to achieving this is through three strategic levers: eco-design and sustainable materials, extending packaging life, and scaling recycling infrastructure. India’s strong sugarcane production provides a unique advantage in bio-based packaging, and developing a bioplastics ecosystem could reduce fossil fuel reliance and lower emissions.
To realize this vision, an estimated investment of $1.5 billion over four years is required, but the payoff includes domestic manufacturing, new job creation, and leadership in sustainable materials. Consumer participation through awareness and behavioral shifts is also critical to scaling refill and reuse models. With bold action, India can unlock $107 billion in economic value, create millions of new jobs, and set the benchmark for a circular economy that balances growth alongside sustainability.