Extended Producers Responsibility on Plastic Packaging 

Extended Producers Responsibility on Plastic Packaging 

Part of: Prelims and GS-III  Conservation 

Context: Ministry of Environment has notified the Guidelines on Extended Producers Responsibility on plastic packaging under Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.

• These guidelines will come in effect from 1st July 2022.

Key takeaways 

• The Guidelines provide a framework to:
  • strengthen the circular economy of plastic packaging waste, 
  • promote development of new alternatives to plastics 
  • provide further next steps for moving towards sustainable plastic packaging by businesses.
• Reuse of rigid plastic packaging material has been mandated in the guidelines to reduce the use of fresh plastic material for packaging.
• The enforceable prescription of minimum level of recycling of plastic packaging waste collected under EPR along with use of recycled plastic content will further reduce plastic consumption and support recycling of plastic packaging waste.
• The EPR guidelines will give a boost for formalization and further development of the plastic waste management sector.
• For the first time, the guidelines allow for sale and purchase of surplus extended producer responsibility certificates, thus setting up a market mechanism for plastic waste management.
• The implementation of EPR will be done through a customized online platform which will act as digital backbone of the system. 
  • The online platform will allow tracking and monitoring of EPR obligation.
• The Guidelines prescribe a framework for levy of environmental compensation based upon polluter pays principle, with respect to non-fulfilment of extended producer responsibility targets by producers, importers & brand owners.
  • The funds collected shall be utilized for collection, recycling and end of life disposal of uncollected plastic waste in an environmentally sound manner.
• These guidelines coupled with prohibition of identified single use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential are important steps for reducing pollution caused due to littered plastic waste in the country.

Do you know?

• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach under which producers are given a significant responsibility – financial and/or physical – for the treatment or disposal of post-consumer products.

News Source: TH