Maharashtra’s Plastic Action Roadmap
Plastic pollution is a growing challenge globally, and Maharashtra, one of India’s largest coastal states, is facing severe environmental and social impacts. A new report from the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) by the World Economic Forum outlines a Plastic Action Roadmap to transition toward a circular economy for materials.
The roadmap focuses on five key areas of intervention:
• Reduce and substitute
• Redesign for recycling
• Collection and sorting
• Recycling
• Safe disposal
Maharashtra’s plastic waste problem contributes to marine and terrestrial pollution, groundwater contamination, air pollution, harm to wildlife, and worsening social inequalities. Addressing these challenges is critical for environmental health and economic resilience.
A key opportunity? Scaling sustainable substitute materials to fossil-based plastics.
The report highlights compostable and biodegradable materials as a potential solution, particularly because:
• Maharashtra has readily available local biomass, which can reduce input and manufacturing costs.
• Investing in sustainable material alternatives can create new industries and economic opportunities.
Case Study Spotlight: TGP Bioplastics, an Indian startup, is developing bio-based, compostable alternatives to single-use plastics. Their growth is supported by government policies like certification from the Central Pollution Control Board and subsidized loans that help scale innovation.
Member Spotlight: Praj Industries, a leading Indian biotechnology innovation company based in Pune (Maharashtra), is driving the sustainable transition with the launch of its first 'Demonstration Facility for Biopolymers' in the state. This initiative strengthens India's bioeconomy by advancing scalable biopolymer solutions: Read more
This roadmap underscores the importance of policy, investment, and innovation in advancing sustainable material solutions. How can we further accelerate the shift away from fossil-based plastics?