Save Our Seas: India

As a rapidly urbanizing and industrializing country with a population of 1.4 billion people, India’s plastic consumption is growing rapidly. With its vast coastline stretching over 4,600 miles and more than 420 million people residing in coastal areas alone, India’s ocean plastic pollution has risen. USAID has long partnered with India to improve waste management systems that deliver for growing urban communities. However, already stressed solid waste management and recycling systems are unable to keep up with the country’s increased plastic production and consumption, posing threats to human health and the biodiversity of marine and terrestrial ecosystems alike.

In response to this pressing issue, USAID is partnering with the Government of India, local governments, the private sector, and civil society organizations to reduce plastic pollution and single-use plastics, while also fostering new industries and job opportunities. USAID has recently launched two new programs in India under the Save Our Seas Initiative: Reducing Plastics for a Cleaner Environment in India (inREPLACE) and the CIRCLE Alliance: Catalyzing Inclusive, Resilient, and Circular Local Economies. Concurrently, USAID/India’s Cleaner Air and Better Health program is partnering with local municipalities to improve solid waste management in Indian cities. Together, these endeavors aim to achieve significant improvements in solid waste management, advance a circular economy, and support social protections for informal waste workers, while improving air quality and reducing leakage of plastic into the environment.

Current Programs

InREPLACE (2023–2028)

Innovations for Reducing Plastics for a Cleaner Environment in India is the Save Our Seas Initiative’s largest country partnership to date. inREPLACE will be implemented across diverse geographies including smaller and larger cities along coasts, rivers, and island settings. The program aims to improve solid waste management policies, planning, infrastructure, and services focusing on plastic pollution, and address the life cycle impact of plastic by promoting a circular economy and innovations. Key activities will include working hand-in-hand with local governments to develop and implement Plastic Reduction Action Plans and collaborating with the private sector to invest in recycling and plastic-alternative innovations. The program also seeks to promote social and behavior change in schools to reduce plastic use and waste and supports informal waste workers. IPE Global leads the locally led consortium implementing inREPLACE, in association with the Administrative Staff College of India, Chintan (Environmental Research and Action Group), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Athena Infonomics, Pyxera Global, and Recycle India Foundation. 

CIRCLE Alliance: Catalyzing Inclusive, Resilient, and Circular Local Economies (2024–2029)

The CIRCLE Alliance is a new $21 million public-private collaboration to reduce plastic use and tackle plastic waste. Founded by Unilever, USAID, and EY, it aims to support women’s economic empowerment, improve livelihoods, and accelerate the development of circular economies through direct support to social enterprises and policies like Extended Producer Responsibility. CIRCLE is implemented by Resonance.

Cleaner Air and Better Health (2021-2026)

Cleaner Air and Better Health is working to strengthen air pollution mitigation and reduce exposure in India by establishing evidence-based models for better air quality management. Part of its efforts focus on reducing open burning of waste and greenhouse gas emissions from poorly managed landfills and dumpsites by working with city governments and civil society organizations to identify optimal solutions to improve solid waste management. The Council on Energy, Environment and Water leads the locally led consortium implementing the activity. Other partners include ASAR Social Impact Advisors, Environmental Design Solutions, Enviro Legal Defence Firm, and Vital Strategies.