Every day, India produces vast amounts of plastic waste, and improper disposal can lead to severe
environmental consequences. The unregulated dumping of plastic waste has triggered a major environmental
crisis. To address this, the government introduced the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling)
Regulations in 2011, focusing on proper plastic waste management. Building on this framework, the
government later implemented the Plastic Waste Management Rules in 2016. Obtaining EPR authorization is
now crucial for effective plastic waste management.
Harmful Effects of Plastic Waste
Uncontrolled littering of plastic waste and improper recycling or reprocessing can lead to several
environmental problems, including:
- Fugitive emissions released during the polymerization process.
- Indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste on land can result in soil infertility.
- Burning plastic generates harmful emissions such as Carbon Monoxide, Chlorine, Dioxins, Furans,
Nitrides, Styrene, and Benzene.
- Non-recyclable plastics, such as multi-layered and metalized pouches, as well as other thermoset
plastics, create significant disposal challenges.
- Littered plastics not only diminish the aesthetic appeal of cities but also block drains,
leading to potential flooding.
- Plastic-contaminated garbage can disrupt waste processing facilities and create issues in
landfill management.
What is EPR?
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach where producers are held accountable for
managing the disposal of their products once they are no longer useful to consumers. EPR shifts the
financial responsibility for product disposal from the government to the manufacturers, making them
liable for the end-of-life management of the products they create.
Applicability of EPR in Plastic Waste Management
EPR in Plastic Waste Management applies to:
- All producers, brand owners, recyclers, plastic traders, and manufacturers are required to
obtain registration from the respective State Pollution Control Board or the Pollution Control
Committee of the relevant Union Territory.
- The Plastic Waste Management Rules are applicable to all waste generators, local authorities,
manufacturers, importers, brand owners, and producers of plastic materials.
Responsibilities of Local Bodies, Gram Panchayats, Producers, Importers, and Brand Owners
- Local Bodies: Local authorities are responsible for establishing systems for
plastic waste segregation, collection, storage, processing, transportation, and disposal, either
directly or by engaging agencies or manufacturers.
- Gram Panchayats: Every Gram Panchayat, either independently or through an agency,
is required to set up, operate, and manage waste management in rural areas. Key responsibilities
include:
- Segregating, storing, collecting, and transporting plastic waste, while channeling
recyclable plastics to licensed recyclers, ensuring minimal environmental harm
during the process.
- Educating all stakeholders on their responsibilities.
- Preventing open burning of plastic waste.
- Producers, Importers, and Brand Owners: Within six months of the rules'
publication, producers must develop a waste collection system based on EPR, involving state
urban development departments, either individually or collectively, through their distribution
channels or in collaboration with local bodies. They must maintain records of individuals
supplying plastic raw materials for manufacturing plastic carry bags, sheets, or multi-layered
packaging.
The production and use of non-recyclable or non-energy recoverable multi-layered plastics, or
those without alternative uses, must be phased out as quickly as possible. Producers are
required to apply for registration with the Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control
Committee of the respective state or Union Territory administration as per CPCB guidelines
following the final publication of these rules.
After the six-month period from the publication of the rules, no producer is allowed to
manufacture or use plastic or multi-layered packaging for commodities without registration from
the State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee. Additionally, producers must
maintain records of suppliers providing plastic raw materials for manufacturing carry bags,
plastic sheets, or multi-layered packaging.
How to Obtain EPR Authorization for Plastic Waste Management?
To secure EPR Authorization for Plastic Waste Management, the following steps should be followed:
Submission of the
application to the relevant department of the SPCB/CPCB.- Attach the required
documents.
- Submit the completed
form to the appropriate authorities.
- Liaise with the
concerned authorities throughout the process.
- If the application
and documents meet the officials' requirements, the authorization certificate will be issued. In
case of any objections, we will address them accordingly to ensure successful EPR Authorization.
Responsibilities after Registration
The following are some responsibilities for PIBOs utilizing plastic packaging-
- Establishing a profile on the centralized EPR portal run by the CPCB.
- Sending the Plastic Waste Management EPR Action Plan
- Recycling of plastic waste
- Utilizing recycled materials in production
- Utilizing recycled plastics in manufacturing
- Getting rid of outdated items
- Plastics recovery and collection with the ability to work with PROs
- Filing yearly CPCB reports after completion
- Cite your certification documentation (Plastic credits)
Documents Required
- KYC of the company
signatory
- KYC of the authorized
signatory
- State Pollution
Control Board (SPCB) Consent Letter or NOC
- Company website
domain
- Toll-free number
Why Choose SeaRoot for Plastic Waste Management?
- Expertise: SeaRoot brings extensive knowledge and experience in handling plastic
waste management, ensuring compliance with all regulations.
- Comprehensive Solutions: We provide end-to-end services, from securing EPR
Authorization to managing waste collection and disposal efficiently.
- Tailored Approach: Our solutions are customized to meet the specific needs of your
business, ensuring effective waste management strategies.
- Reliable Support: With dedicated assistance and seamless coordination with
relevant authorities, SeaRoot simplifies the process, saving you time and effort.
- Sustainability Focus: We are committed to promoting environmentally responsible
practices, helping businesses reduce their environmental footprint.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What is plastic waste management?
Plastic waste management involves the collection, sorting, recycling, and disposal of plastic materials to minimize environmental impact and promote sustainable practices.
2.Why is plastic waste management important?
Effective plastic waste management is crucial for reducing pollution, conserving resources, protecting wildlife, and mitigating the adverse effects of plastic waste on the environment.
3.What are the main steps in plastic waste management?
The main steps include collection, segregation, recycling, treatment, and safe disposal of plastic waste.
4.How can individuals contribute to plastic waste management?
Individuals can contribute by reducing plastic usage, recycling properly, supporting eco-friendly products, and participating in community clean-up efforts.
5.What are the common challenges in managing plastic waste?
Common challenges include inadequate recycling infrastructure, contamination of recyclable materials, lack of public awareness, and the persistence of non-recyclable plastics.
6.What should be done with non-recyclable plastic waste?
Non-recyclable plastic waste should be disposed of through authorized waste management services that follow environmentally safe practices.
