# Waste and recycling: Value chain, from upstream to the customer

Collecting, sorting and treating waste, returning metals, paper and plastics to use

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/waste_recycling/value-chain/

#### Value chain, from upstream to the customer
**Criticality to the chain:** 5 · Chokepoint 4 · Critical 3 · Important 2 · Supporting 1 · Commodity service Stage 1 **Generation and segregationMunicipal bodies and bulk waste generators**4 · Critical

Hold the legal duty for city waste, set segregation rules and user charges, and award collection, processing and landfill contracts.^[2](https://www.iamrenew.com/environment/indian-cities-raise-waste-processing-capacity-to-80-in-10-years-mohua/)
**Why critical:** Each city has one responsible body, and its budgets and contract decisions decide whether the downstream chain gets paid. Technologies Source segregation rules Integrated solid waste management plans Contract and tender management GPS-tracked collection monitoring Depends on Energy [Bld Energy in buildings](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_buildings/) Industries [Public administration, defence and security](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/public_admin/)[Finance: banking, insurance, markets](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/finance/)**Examples:** Indore Municipal Corporation, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Greater Chennai Corporation

**Informal waste pickers, kabadiwalas and scrap aggregators**3 · Important

Pick, buy and sort recyclables from homes, streets and dumps and sell them up a chain of dealers to recyclers.
**Why important:** Individual buyers are easy to replace, but the network as a whole carries a large share of India's dry recyclables to recyclers and formal systems would take years to rebuild it. Technologies Manual sorting by material and grade Door-to-door buying Small baling and storage yards Waste picker cooperatives Depends on Energy [Mu Muscle power](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_muscle/)**Examples:** SWaCH (Pune), Hasiru Dala (Bengaluru), The Kabadiwala  Stage 2 **Collection and transportWaste collection and haulage contractors**2 · Supporting

Run door-to-door collection, transfer stations and haulage under municipal or commercial contracts.
**Why supporting:** Many contractors bid for each city, so a failed operator can be replaced within weeks to months. Technologies Compactor trucks Transfer stations Route optimisation RFID bin tracking Depends on Commodities [St Steel](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/steel/) Energy [Oil Crude oil](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/crude_oil/)[ICV Combustion road vehicles](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_road_ice/)[EV Electric and hybrid vehicles](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_evs/)[LPG CNG, LPG and biogas distribution](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_cng_lpg/) Industries [Vehicles, ships, rail, aircraft](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/vehicles/)[Software and IT services](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/software_it/)**Examples:** Antony Waste Handling Cell, Re Sustainability, Waste Management Inc, Republic Services, Veolia  Stage 3 **Sorting and processingMaterial recovery facility operators**2 · Supporting

Sort mixed dry waste into paper, plastics, metals and glass bales and sell them to recyclers, sending rejects to fuel or landfill.
**Why supporting:** Plants are relatively quick to build and many operators exist, though mixed waste lowers bale quality. Technologies Trommels and ballistic separators Near-infrared optical sorting Eddy-current and magnetic separation Balers Depends on Energy [Dist Distribution grids, mini-grids and interconnectors](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_distribution/)[Mot Electric motors and drives](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_motors/) Industries [Machinery and equipment](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/machinery/)**Examples:** Nepra Resource Management, Recykal, Biffa, Veolia

**Scrap-metal processors and traders**3 · Important

Shred, shear and grade ferrous and non-ferrous scrap from end-of-life vehicles, demolition and industry and sell it to steel mills, smelters and foundries worldwide.^[3](https://gmk.center/en/news/global-scrap-consumption-rose-by-4-5-y-y-in-2025-bir/)
**Why important:** A global trade with many sellers, but electric-arc steelmakers depend on it, and scrap use reached about 480 Mt in 2025. Technologies Auto shredders Hydraulic shears and balers Eddy-current separation XRF and LIBS alloy sorting Registered vehicle scrapping facilities Depends on Commodities [St Steel](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/steel/)[Al Aluminium](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/aluminum/)[Cu Copper](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/copper/)[Pb Lead](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/lead/) Energy [Mot Electric motors and drives](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_motors/)[HVAC AC transmission](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_hvac/)[Shp Ship propulsion](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_marine/) Industries [Metal products](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/metal_products/)[Transport and logistics](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/transport_logistics/)**Examples:** Sims Limited, European Metal Recycling, Mahindra MSTC Recycling, Nucor (David J. Joseph)  Stage 4 **Recycling into secondary raw materialsPlastic, paper and glass recyclers**2 · Supporting

Turn baled plastics, waste paper and cullet into recycled resin, pulp and glass that brand owners and mills buy to meet recycled-content and EPR targets.
**Why supporting:** Many recyclers compete; buyers can switch, though food-grade capacity is scarce. Technologies Washing and regranulating lines Bottle-to-bottle PET Recovered-fibre pulping Cullet processing Chemical recycling pilots Depends on Commodities [H₂O Water](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/water/) Chemicals [NaOH Caustic soda](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/caustic_soda/)[PET PET resin](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/pet/)[Srf Surfactants](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/surfactants/) Energy [Dist Distribution grids, mini-grids and interconnectors](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_distribution/) Industries [Plastic and rubber products](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/plastic_rubber/)[Paper and packaging](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/paper_packaging/)**Examples:** Ganesha Ecosphere, Indorama Ventures, Veolia, Smurfit Westrock

**Battery and e-waste recyclers**4 · Critical

Dismantle electronics and batteries and recover lead, copper, gold, lithium, nickel and cobalt for sale to refiners and battery makers.
**Why critical:** Few authorised plants can recover battery metals at scale, and EPR rules force producers to use them. Technologies Mechanical shredding to black mass Hydrometallurgical leaching Pyrometallurgical smelting Lead-acid battery smelting Depends on Commodities [Li Lithium](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/lithium/)[Co Cobalt](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/cobalt/)[Ni Nickel](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/nickel/)[Pb Lead](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/lead/)[Au Gold](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/gold/)[Cu Copper](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/copper/) Chemicals [H2SO4 Sulphuric acid](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/sulphuric_acid/)[H2O2 Hydrogen peroxide](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/hydrogen_peroxide/)[NaOH Caustic soda](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/caustic_soda/) Energy [PbA Lead-acid batteries](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_lead_acid/)[NMC Nickel-rich lithium-ion batteries](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_li_nmc/)[Dist Distribution grids, mini-grids and interconnectors](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_distribution/) Industries [Computers and electronics](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/computers_electronics/)[Electrical equipment](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/electrical_equipment/)**Examples:** Umicore, Attero Recycling, Redwood Materials, Gravita India  Stage 5 **Treatment and disposalWaste-to-energy, compost and biogas operators**3 · Important

Burn residual waste for power, or digest and compost wet waste into compressed biogas and compost sold to gas marketers and farmers.^[1](https://www.unep.org/resources/global-waste-management-outlook-2024)
**Why important:** Several technology suppliers, but plants take years to permit and need steady waste with enough calorific value. Technologies Moving-grate incineration Refuse-derived fuel Anaerobic digestion to compressed biogas Windrow composting Flue-gas cleaning Depends on Commodities [CaO Lime](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/lime/) Chemicals [AC Activated carbon](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/activated_carbon/)[NH3 Ammonia](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/ammonia/) Energy [WtE Waste-to-energy](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_waste_to_energy/)[ST Steam turbines and thermal power plants](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_steam_turbines/)[CBG Biogas and biomethane](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/biomethane/)[LPG CNG, LPG and biogas distribution](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_cng_lpg/) Industries [Machinery and equipment](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/machinery/)[Finance: banking, insurance, markets](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/finance/)**Examples:** Jindal Urban Waste Management, Kanadevia Inova, Reworld, Re Sustainability

**Engineered landfill and hazardous-waste (TSDF) operators**4 · Critical

Run lined landfills and treatment, storage and disposal facilities for residues, industrial and hazardous waste, and remediate legacy dumpsites.^[4](https://datatopics.worldbank.org/what-a-waste)
**Why critical:** Permits are scarce and few sites exist per state, so hazardous waste generators have little choice. Technologies HDPE-lined landfill cells Leachate treatment Landfill gas capture Stabilisation and solidification Biomining of legacy dumps Depends on Commodities [Kao Kaolin & clays](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/clays/)[CaO Lime](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/lime/)[Cem Cement](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/cement/) Chemicals [HDPE High-density polyethylene](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/hdpe/)[WT Water treatment chemicals](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/water_treatment/) Energy [Oil Crude oil](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/crude_oil/)[CBG Biogas and biomethane](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/biomethane/) Industries [Construction and infrastructure](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/construction/)[Water and sanitation](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/water_sanitation/)**Examples:** Re Sustainability, Clean Harbors, Veolia, SUEZ  Stage 6 **Equipment and regulationSorting, shredding and recycling-equipment makers**3 · Important

Supply optical sorters, shredders, balers, incineration grates and recycling lines to operators.
**Why important:** High-end optical sorters and shredders come from a small group of mainly European firms. Technologies Near-infrared and AI vision sorting Industrial shredders Plastics recycling extruders Incineration grate systems Depends on Commodities [St Steel](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/steel/)[Mn Manganese](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/manganese/) Energy [Mot Electric motors and drives](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_motors/) Industries [Machinery and equipment](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/machinery/)[Semiconductors](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/semiconductors/)**Examples:** TOMRA, Steinert, Metso, Komptech, Erema

**Pollution regulators and EPR platforms**4 · Critical

Set waste rules, license facilities, and run extended producer responsibility registries where brand owners buy recycling certificates.^[2](https://www.iamrenew.com/environment/indian-cities-raise-waste-processing-capacity-to-80-in-10-years-mohua/)
**Why critical:** EPR targets and permits create most of the revenue for formal recyclers, so rule changes reshape the market. Technologies EPR certificate registries Online consent and authorisation Emission and leachate monitoring Landfill bans and levies Depends on Chemicals [Rgt Reagents and high-purity lab chemicals](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/lab_reagents/) Energy [Bld Energy in buildings](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_buildings/) Industries [Public administration, defence and security](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/public_admin/)[Software and IT services](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/software_it/)**Examples:** Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (SBM-U), US Environmental Protection Agency

## Other sections

- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/waste_recycling/index.md)
- [Where ₹100 goes](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/waste_recycling/cost-mix/index.md)
- [Price links with suppliers](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/waste_recycling/price-links/index.md)
- [Example story](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/waste_recycling/story/index.md)
- [Materials drawn on](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/waste_recycling/materials/index.md)
- [Chokepoints and risks](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/waste_recycling/risks/index.md)
- [Sources](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/waste_recycling/sources/index.md)