The Centre for Science and Environment has highlighted Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging in its report. According to the report, the amount of plastic waste will triple globally by the year 2060, of which only 20% will be recycled. In such a situation, EPR is emerging as an effective policy principle to tackle the plastic crisis.
EPR for Plastic Packaging
- EPR was introduced under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, and its extended guidelines were notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2022.
- Tenure: It will be implemented by the financial year 2027-28.
- PIBO: It includes producers, importers, brand owners and manufacturers (PIBOs) as ‘polluters’. They have been given the responsibility of collecting 100% of the plastic packaging brought to the market.
- EPR Regime: PIBOs have to purchase EPR certificates which act as certified process for recycling and disposal.
Challenges in the current EPR regime for plastics
- Lack of monitoring of importers: A large number of importers are operating without any monitoring or regulation.
- Classification of plastic waste: It is difficult to differentiate between packaging and non-packaging plastic waste.
- Fake certificates: Some PWPs (plastic waste processors) are issuing fake EPR certificates.
Recommendations
- Establishment of fair pricing of EPR.
- Invalidation of fake EPR certificates.
- Inclusion of informal sector in EPR guidelines.
EPR
- Definition: EPR is a policy principle that makes producers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products, especially during the take-back, recycling and final disposal stages.
Key elements of EPR
- Polluter pays principle: Holds polluters accountable for the waste they generate.
- Waste minimisation: Emphasis on reducing waste.
- Life cycle approach: Takes into account the entire life cycle of a product.
- Implementing agencies: Producer responsibility organisations (PROs) are third party agencies that assist polluters in EPR compliance.