India Recycling Technologies Opportunities
The solid waste management sector in India is expected to witness significant growth in the coming years, driven by increasing urbanization, rising awareness of waste management, and growing investments in waste management infrastructure. This presents unique opportunities for U.S. firms with advanced recycling, waste processing, and resource recovery technologies, including AI, IoT, and sensor-based systems. U.S.-India initiatives, such as the Strategic Mineral Recovery program, further strengthen this market’s potential.
According to a market report by Mordor Intelligence, the Indian waste management market is estimated at $13.60 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to $19.26 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 7.21%. Additionally, in 2024, the United States exported over $106 million waste management and recycling technologies to India.
Government of India’s Initiatives
The Government of India has launched policies and regulations to develop and support a sustainable and regenerative economy:
- Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission): The mission launched to improve urban sanitation and promote recycling and waste reduction across cities.
- Solid Waste Management Rules 2016: The rules focus on a decentralized approach to waste and extend the coverage beyond urban municipalities.
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Rules, 2024 (in effect from April 1, 2026): The rules place the onus on producers, importers, brand owners, and waste processors to manage the entire lifecycle of their packaging materials. The scope of earlier EPR rules, limited to plastic waste, e-waste, and used oil, has been extended to include glass, paper, sanitary products, and metal packaging.
- Battery Waste Management Rules 2022 (as amended): Mandates phased recycling of used electric vehicle (EV) lithium-ion batteries from 2026 onwards.
- Smart Cities Mission: Aims to enhance urban infrastructure through services including integrated waste management.
Opportunities for U.S. Companies
To support India’s development of basic infrastructure across the waste management value chain, U.S. companies offering technologies, equipment, and cost-efficient waste handling systems and solutions will find multiple opportunities. Key demand areas include waste collection and transportation systems, waste treatment technologies like incineration and gasification, landfill design and engineering services, and sorting technologies to facilitate recycling and proper waste disposal.
Innovative technology solutions can be applied in reducing waste and efficient utilization of resources. AI driven solutions, precision technology, sensors, and IoT are some of the smart solutions that can be used to strengthen waste management and recycling efficiency.
The recent United States-India Joint Leaders’ Statement released on February 13, 2025, announced the launch of the Strategic Mineral Recovery initiative, a new U.S.-India program to recover and process critical minerals (including lithium, cobalt, and rare earths) from heavy industries like aluminum, coal mining, and oil and gas. This includes recycling technologies of critical minerals and opens a new export opportunity for U.S. technologies that, if adopted in India, will help build a resilient supply chain for critical minerals between the two countries.
U.S. companies entering the Indian market should identify quality partners who know this market, have a good distribution network, and are well-versed in procurement issues. Long term strategic planning, due diligence, and consistent follow-ups are essential for doing business successfully in India.
The U.S. Commercial Service team in India can help with your market entry strategies. If you wish to pursue market opportunities in this region, please connect with your nearest local U.S. Commercial Service office in the U.S. to schedule an appointment for a consultation or contact the advanced manufacturing team at the U.S. Commercial Service in India.