Ahmedabad, 05th October, 2025: Leading up to India’s most anticipated recycling industry events, Bharat Recycling Show and Plastics Recycling Show India 2025, Media Fusion & Crain Communications hosted an exclusive high-level roundtable meet at The Fern Residency, Ahmedabad. The session brought together prominent stakeholders from across Gujarat’s recycling, circular economy, and waste management sectors to discuss the evolving policy landscape, market potential, and pathways to sustainable industrial growth.
The meet featured a panel discussion on “Policy, Markets, and Circular Growth: Challenges and Opportunities Ahead for the Recycling Industry”, which delved into strategies for enhancing material recovery, promoting innovation in waste management, and achieving India’s circular economy goals.
The discussion witnessed participation from key industry voices including Mr. Chetan Joshi, President -TRRAI (Global Affairs & Imports); Mr. Sandip Singh, CEO, Ishitva Robotic Systems; Mr. Amit Patel, Founder & CEO – CircleLife Environment; Mr. Prashant Trivedi, Immediate Past Chairman, Ahmedabad Chapter, Indian Plastic Institute (IPI); Mr. Punit Gopalka, MD & CEO – Packem Umasree Pvt. Ltd; Mr. Jitendra Chopra, President, Aluminium Extrusion Manufacturers of India. The meet also saw the presence of leading entrepreneurs, policymakers, sustainability experts, and recycling technology providers from across Gujarat, reaffirming the state’s leadership in India’s recycling and resource recovery ecosystem.
Highlighting the state’s commitment to sustainability, Mr. Prashant Trivedi, Immediate Past Chairman, Ahmedabad Chapter, Indian Plastic Institute (IPI), said “Gujarat continues to hold a leading position in India’s recycling and manufacturing ecosystem, contributing over 25% to the country’s total waste handling. Industrial clusters such as Dhoraji, Bhavnagar, Halol, Vapi, and Ahmedabad have become concentrated recycling zones, with extensive PET recycling taking place in Surat, Kandla, and Ahmedabad. The recent establishment of India’s largest MLP plant in Sarigam further strengthens Gujarat’s recycling infrastructure. Driven by strong government regulations, rising environmental awareness, and EPR adoption, the state’s recycling sector is poised for accelerated growth. With India’s plastic recycling market projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.8% (volume) and 5.22% (value) through 2033, Gujarat remains a key contributor. Advanced technologies in auto-segregation, sorting, and processing are being rapidly adopted, while entrepreneurs increasingly focus on quality, sustainability, and innovation.
Mr. Deepak. V. Mehta, Founder & Managing Partner, Leevams, said “With the implementation of new PWM guidelines and EPR mandates across all PIBOs, the recycling industry is set for exponential growth nationwide, including Gujarat. The state has long led India’s plastics ecosystem from virgin polymers to advanced processing — yet large-scale polyolefin recycling is still emerging beyond PET recyclers. As informal units begin aligning with sustainability and circular economy principles, the transformation will be dramatic. Rising waste volumes, stricter compliance, and the need for higher throughput will accelerate demand for sustainable recycling and waste management technologies. A clear shift toward socially responsible and eco-friendly production is also reshaping industry priorities. Backed by over 25 years of experience, Leevams continues to deliver world-class technologies and performance-driven recycling solutions, supporting India’s transition toward a greener and cleaner future.”
Mr. Amit Patel, Founder & CEO – CircleLife Environment, said “With India’s waste-management market projected to grow from roughly USD 25 billion in 2023 to over USD 39 billion by 2030 (a CAGR of ~6.5%) and the recycling services segment itself set to nearly double by 2033 with (a CAGR of ~9.6%) the demand for sustainable recycling is surging. Circlelife Environment is at the forefront of this transformation, offering innovative, technology-driven solutions that promote resource recovery, circularity, and eco-conscious operations.”
Mr. Sandip Singh, CEO, Ishitva Robotic Systems, said “At Ishitva Robotics, our AI-powered solutions collectively process over 250 tons of dry waste per hour across multiple facilities in India, helping recover tens of thousands of tons of high-quality recyclable plastic annually. By making automation scalable and accessible, we are enabling recyclers to achieve higher recovery rates, strengthen circularity, and support India’s sustainability and EPR goals.”
Mr. Taher Patrawala, Managing Director of Media Fusion, said “The recycling industry in India is entering a decisive growth phase, driven by rising material recovery targets, technological adoption, and evolving producer responsibility norms. India’s waste-plastic recycling volume stood at approximately 10.9 million tonnes in 2024, and is projected to more than double to 25.4 million tonnes by 2033, highlighting the industry’s strong growth trajectory. The roundtable meet in Ahmedabad acts as a strategic forum to unite recyclers, technology providers, sustainability experts, and policymakers to deliberate on advancing resource efficiency and green manufacturing. Through platforms like Bharat Recycling Show and Plastics Recycling Show India, our vision is to empower industry stakeholders, showcase breakthrough recycling technologies, and strengthen India’s position as a leader in sustainable waste management and circular economy solutions.”
Gujarat’s Role in India’s Recycling Landscape
Gujarat continues to be a frontrunner in India’s recycling and circular economy transition, accounting for a significant share of the nation’s plastic and industrial waste processing capacity. With Ahmedabad, Surat, and Vadodara emerging as major industrial clusters, the state has become a hub for advanced waste management technologies, PET and polymer recycling, and innovative circular business models. According to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) 2023–24 inventory, Gujarat houses 350 authorised recycling units for hazardous and other waste, one of the highest among Indian states. As of May 2025, there are 374 registered waste management service providers, of which nearly 95% are single-owner operations, concentrated largely in Ahmedabad (146), Vadodara (50), and Surat (42). Reflecting its strong policy implementation and technological readiness, Gujarat has also remediated nearly 95% of its legacy waste, clearing approximately 210 lakh tons out of 221 lakh tons identified across 140 dumpsites, underscoring its leadership in sustainable waste management and resource recovery. Supported by proactive state policies and growing investments in sustainable manufacturing, Gujarat is playing a pivotal role in driving India toward its sustainability and net-zero goals.
