Necessity Of EPR for Plastic Waste Management Rule in India
India has walked a long way since the sanction of EPR for Plastic Waste Management Rules, in 2016. It was a nationwide call of Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi to fight plastic pollution.
The PWM Rule primarily banned the circulation of SUP (Single-Use Plastics) in the country and mandated EPR for plastic registration for every plastic handler.
Some of the key highlights mentioned in the PWM Rule includes-
- Every Plastic Producer, Importer, Brand Owner, (PIBO) needs EPR for plastic registration to handle all types of plastic waste in the country.
- Every EPR registered entity must collect and recycle a specific amount of plastic waste produced in a specific year
- Entities falling under the EPR regime must fulfil their yearly EPR for plastic compliances within CPCB’s deadline
- The respective entities recycling the plastic waste must treat plastic waste as per EPR for plastic recycling guidelines
- Concerned entities must recycle plastic waste as per yearly EPR target and maintain the details in yearly EPR report
- Recently, CPCB has mandated EPR for plastic registration for Micro & Small Producers, Sellers, Manufacturers & Importers.
India’s Journey Towards Acceptance of EPR for Plastic Initiative- Key Highlights
- Integrated Waste Management Facility at Gorakhpur
Very recently, Gorakhpur in UP confirmed about setting up an integrated waste management facility.
This waste recycling plant aims to build circular economy in the state. The plant is expected to re-process wide range of biomedical, tyre, plastic waste along with e waste, battery and terracotta waste.
The plant aims to empower eight local urban bodies by assuring regional sustainability in the area. Such initiatives endorse a circular economy in the country.
- Using plastic waste to make sustainable cement
Plastic waste is a common ingredient used in making eco-friendly alternatives of traditional cements. These durable alternatives are known as PLAVE, which is commonly used in construction work.
The strong durability of the material keeps the integrity and intactness of roads during heavy rain.
- Mahakumbh 2025 To Be Plastic-Free
CM Yogi Adityanath’s government in UP strictly assures to replace plastic elements with jute and cloth bags in the upcoming Mahakumbh Mela 2025.
Environmentalists consider this EPR for plastic initiative as a sincere agenda to maintain plastic-waste-free UP in the coming years.
The government has also planned to issue a tender for interested entities to give stalls for selling leaf bowls (donas), leaf plates (pattals), clay cups (Kulhars), etc. in the 4200-hectare MahaKumbh fairground.
- Plastic-Free Hornbill Celebration at Nagaland
The state of Nagaland celebrated the 25th Hornbill festival this year by banning single use plastics. It is replaced with bamboo-based straw and leaf plates.
The entire festival was celebrated by accepting EPR for plastic initiative taken by CPCB. The festival introduced bio-degradable cutleries, paper bags and other eco-friendly compostable materials to replace plastic materials in the event.
- Applicability of EPR for Plastic Packaging on SIMPs
The CPCB has mandated the EPR for plastic packaging rule recently on Micro & Small Producers, Sellers, and Manufacturers (SIMP).
It has mandated every entity falling under the SIMP category to obtain EPR registration by 30th June of the next financial year. The necessary details about the notification are shared under SIMP guidelines by CBCB.
- IndiGoReach’s Zero Waste Airport Project at Indore
Indore is one of the top-ranked cities to accept plastic sustainability in the country after Surat.
Recently, IndiGoReach initiated its Zero Waste Airport Project at Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport to re-process 750 kg of daily waste generated via airport operations.
Conclusion
India’s acceptance of EPR for plastic initiative took a giant leap since 2016. However, CPCB has updated Plastic Waste Management Rule with time by empowering plastic sustainability to lead India towards Net-Zero carbon emission.
It’s time for every plastic handler to accept the EPR for plastic waste rule and eliminate plastic contamination from Earth!
