On World Environment Day 2025, with the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution,” the world focuses on reducing plastic waste. India alone generates over 9.3 million tonnes of plastic waste every year, much of which ends up in landfills, rivers, or informal channels. Despite policies like the Plastic Waste Management Rules and EPR mandates, recycling remains limited.
StartupTalky spoke to changemakers across India’s climate and waste-tech ecosystem to understand how they’re tackling plastic pollution, innovating alternatives, and overcoming myths that stall progress. From ethical recycling systems to compostable packaging, their work proves that circular innovation is not just possible, but essential.