Situational analysis of plastic waste management in India and Japan: cross-country learnings to increase plastic circularity

Plastic waste is a growing environmental concern. This study compared plastic waste management between India and Japan using SWOT analysis and a comparison of the five landscapes of the plastic value chain. A t test and multiple linear regression analyzed the differences. The comparison revealed that the status of plastic waste generation and raw material production is different in the two countries. Notably Japan’s per capita plastic waste is 67.4 kg annually, significantly higher than India’s 6.9 kg. However, India’s amount is rapidly increasing, while Japan’s amount has not increased. Additionally, plastic raw material production has significantly impacted on plastic waste generation in both countries. The SWOT analysis showed that India and Japan have different trends in plastic waste management. The study found that India should create an enabling environment that considers the cost of separate collection, the local government’s willingness to participate, and the availability of a market for recycled products, in addition to the formulation of regulations. Japan can leverage India’s initiatives, like prioritizing material recycling and creating swift campaigns. By considering the successes and challenges of plastic waste management in both, a way for leapfrogging can be paved.