PolyCycl Innovates in Recycling Hard-to-Recycle Plastics Amid EPR Enforcement in India
88% ‘hard-to-recycle’ plastic: PolyCycl’s bet on turning waste into value
The Economic TimesImage: The Economic Times
PolyCycl, a startup based in Chandigarh, India, is addressing the challenge of recycling 'hard-to-recycle' plastics, which constitute 88% of plastic waste, using patented chemical recycling technology. This innovation converts low-value plastics into high-value circular feedstocks, supporting a more sustainable circular economy as India tightens Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations.
- 01PolyCycl's technology can process 88% of plastic waste deemed 'hard-to-recycle'.
- 02The startup converts low-value plastics into high-value hydrocarbon oils for new plastic production.
- 03India's recycling ecosystem faces challenges due to weak compliance and structural gaps.
- 04Stricter EPR enforcement poses financial and reputational risks for brands failing to adapt.
- 05PolyCycl's modular technology allows scalable processing of 15 to 100 tonnes of waste plastics daily.
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PolyCycl, a Chandigarh-based startup, is tackling the issue of 'hard-to-recycle' plastics, which account for 88% of plastic waste in India, by utilizing a patented chemical recycling technology. This innovative approach transforms low-value plastics like single-use bags and contaminated packaging into valuable hydrocarbon oils, which can be used to create new low-carbon plastics and renewable chemicals. The technology enables plastic-to-plastic circularity, allowing these materials to be reprocessed into new polymers with properties similar to those derived from fossil fuels. Despite the existence of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mandates in India, the recycling ecosystem struggles with compliance issues, where only 22% of producers report their activities accurately. This has led to a system that is more certificate-driven than effective in actual recycling. Brands face immediate risks, including financial penalties and reputational damage, if they do not adapt to stricter EPR regulations. PolyCycl's modular technology, capable of processing between 15 to 100 tonnes of waste daily, presents a scalable solution to the plastic waste crisis, supporting a more sustainable and circular economy in India.
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PolyCycl's technology could significantly improve plastic waste management in India, enabling brands to meet EPR requirements and reducing reliance on virgin fossil resources.
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