The Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI) is the apex national association representing India's rapidly growing recycling industry, functioning as a trade body and institution. It was originally incorporated as a Non-Profit company on November 1, 2011, under the name Metal Recycling Association of India. The association was created to organize and represent the metal recycling industry stakeholders, but later metamorphosed into the MRAI at the instance of the Government to embrace all recycling and recyclable commodity stakeholders. The MRAI now represents over 1200 members across various sectors, including Metals, Plastic, Paper, E-waste, Tyre & Rubber, and Glass, with a collective strength of over 20,000 enterprises.
The MRAI's core mechanism involves acting as the voice of the industry, liaising with various government bodies like the Ministry of Mines, Ministry of Steel, and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to shape policy and address industry challenges. For instance, the MRAI advocates for the reduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on metal scraps to 5% from 18% and the nullification of import duties on metal scraps to accelerate decarbonization and sustainability goals. A key recent issue involves the mandatory Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (PSIC) regime for imported metal scrap, which the MRAI has sought to abolish, proposing a technology-driven, destination-based scanning and radiation monitoring system at designated Indian ports instead. The association argues that the PSIC, issued by agencies approved by the DGFT, is time-consuming and costly, adding about $200 per container.
The MRAI connects to major government initiatives like the Vehicle Scrappage Policy and the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, working to create adequate infrastructure and policies for a circular economy. A significant recent development is the European Commission's proposal in September 2026 to exclude India from the list of countries eligible to receive EU metal waste from May 2027, which the MRAI is actively seeking government intervention on. The association has also challenged the constitutional validity of Section 13(8)(b) of the Integrated Goods Service Tax Act, 2017 (IGST Act, 2017), concerning the place of supply for intermediary services, in a petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution.