Inefficient plastic waste management is one of the growing concerns associated with the majority of Indian manufacturers these days. Although the Indian government has claimed that 60% of the plastic waste produced in the country is recycled, according to CPCB data only 12% of the plastic waste is recycled practically.
That’s where EPR for plastic waste disposal comes to the scene! The demand for plastic in India reached up to 20.89 million tonnes in 2021-22, and according to environmentalists, the figure is most likely going to jump up to 22 million tonnes by 2023.
However, according to recent sources, an estimated number of 823 plastic manufacturers are yet to accomplish their EPR registration online, which is one of the growing threats to the environment.
Single-Use Plastics! – No More An Option Now
According to the rule imposed by the Central Government, it’s mandatory now to phase out single-use plastics. Back on 1st July 2022, the Central Pollution Control Board imposed a ban on the usage of single-use plastics like single-use straws, disposable cutlery, food containers, cotton swabs, bags, balloons, etc.
What’s EPR registration?
EPR certificate stands for the (Extended Producer Responsibility) certificate which is compulsory for every importer or exporter of plastic products for e-waste management. By gaining an EPR registration for plastic waste management and disposal, the producer takes every responsibility to follow environmentally sound solutions for the dumping and recycling of plastic waste.
Role of EPR regulations for plastic waste management in foreign countries
EPR plays a major role to combat the environmental hazards due to poor management of plastic waste. The e-waste disposal regulations drafted in the EPR policy enables the majority of the producers and plastic manufacturers to implement environmentally friendly disposal of plastic waste.
Countries like Japan and the Republic of Korea have already adopted a well-established EPR framework over the last two decades for managing their plastic junks. Whereas countries like China and Indonesia, the EPR regulations have been strengthened very recently.
Prime Necessity of EPR regulations For Plastic Waste Management in India
EPR regulations for plastic waste management is a major necessity in a country like India because it’s one of the largest producers of plastic waste in the world.
With over 9 million tonnes of plastic waste generated every year, the Indian government has imposed certain EPR policies and guidelines to endorse plastic production and management practices which are environmentally-safe. According to the Government of India’s Plastic Waste Management Regulations Act 2016, the producers, importers and the brand owners are responsible for ensuring the processing of plastic packaging through waste recycling.
How EPR regulations have reduced the challenges with plastic waste management in India?
Believe it or not, EPR regulations have positively impacted the environment, as its humans who are solely accountable for generating and consuming plastic products. The EPR law compels every stakeholder to take accountability for the usage and recycling of products.
Apart from that, the EPR regulations have adopted some of the following practices to ensure hazard-free dumping of plastic junks.
Some of those EPR regulatory strategies are:
- Rigid plastic packaging
- Flexible Plastic Packaging
- Multi-Layer plastic packaging
- Plastic sheets
Key Benefits Unlocked With EPR Certified Authorization In Plastic Waste Management
An EPR certification enables a firm to follow a producer-focussed mechanism that aims to reduce plastic waste, by increasing and decreasing the dependency on raw materials.
By following the EPR principles, the producers can reduce the cost of the operation associated with managing post-use plastic products partially. That’s not all, there are some other advantages of having an EPR authorization in a business as well.
Practising the usage of re-used products
A full-proof EPR planning and strategy enables every business associated with the consumption and usage of re-used plastic products after recycling those. This can be a cost-optimising strategy for a business to reduce its dependence on buying fresh raw plastic materials.
Adopting sustainable development
The growing concerns associated with environmental pollution compelled plastic producers, importers and exporters to adopt the best EPR practices nowadays. Such practices promote sustainable development and encourage manufacturers to adopt a practice that barely impacts the environment adversely.
Optimising waste supply chain and management
With an EPR authorization, an organisation gets to identify the loopholes in waste supply chain management. Once those issues are pointed out, it’s easier for a firm to reduce the overhead costs and budget constraints by imposing stringent EPR-certified standards. By imposing those standards, it’s easier for a business to avoid the common malpractices involved with plastic waste disposal in supply chain management.
Improvised modus operandi for plastic waste management
With improvised EPR authorization, it’s easier for an organisation to maintain better clarity while collecting, recycling and treating plastic waste. Eventually, that helps a manufacturer to enhance the existing framework associated with the production and disposal of plastic waste. It’s no big deal for an organisation to get its EPR registration done online nowadays. It’s just a matter of a few business days to gain an EPR compliance certificate, for practising plastic waste management and operations with maximum efficiency.
Adapting recyclable product designs
The growing dependence on EPR-compliant plastics, the majority of the manufacturers are inclined towards building a design that can be recycled easily. Apart from avoiding complex designs, the EPR-registered plastic products are labelled with recycled information helping the buyers and the manufacturers to dispose of them without affecting environmental concerns.
However, if you’re not aware of the standard EPR practices, you may get in touch with a reputed EPR registration service provider too for availing of EPR authorization for plastic waste management. The process involves three simple steps only.
Conclusion
Believe it or not; plastic plays a pivotal role in the packaging and labelling industry. On the contrary, it’s a hazardous waste that harms the environment, human health, and marine and aquatic lives. That’s why EPR-certified authorization has become a necessity rather than an option to control the incoherent disposal of plastic waste management.
